Newton-le-Willows and Earlestown War Memorial

In Memory of

Private George Shaw

269308
1st/7th Battalion, The King’s (Liverpool Regiment)
Killed In Action 6th June 1917 Age 39

George was the son of Samuel and Harriet Shaw. CWGC states that he was a native of Derby. He was the husband of Ellen Teresa Shaw whose address CWGC, which compiled its records after the War, gives as 83, New Park Road, Salford. The obituary published in the Newton and Earlestown Guardian on July 20th 1917 gives George and his wife’s address as 10, Princes Street, Earlestown.

George formerly walked in a Manchester hotel. He was called up in August 1916, and went out in early 1917. The published letter from Lieut. Evans of the 5th K.L.R. gives few details of George’s death. “Your husband, Pte. G. Shaw, was killed yesterday. His death was instantaneous, so he suffered no pain… He will be buried in a little village behind the line.”

George is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery in Plot I, Row E, Grave 36. By chance, the grave to the left of George’s is that of another G. Shaw of the King’s Own (Liverpool Regiment). Second Lieutenant Gerald A. S. Shaw of the 8th Battalion, died on the 4th July 1917.

One sad feature was that a three month old child, who George had never seen, also died in the same week that Ellen received the news of George's death.