William Simpson Shaw

William Simpson Shaw was born in 1894 in Underwood and was the son of Henry a coal miner/hewer and Selina Shaw née Ball of 51 Arnold Road, Basford, Nottingham. his father Henry was born in 1868 in Selston , his mother Selina was born in 1869 in Bagthrope, Selston they were married in 1886 their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration district, they went onto have 11 children , sadly three of whom were to die in infancy or early childhood prior to 1911 their surviving children were : Dorothy Ann b 1889 Bagthorpe, John Henry b1891 Bagthorpe, Gertrude b1894 Underwood, William Simpson b1894 Underwood, Emma b1898 Underwood, Hannah b 1899 Bagthorpe, Mary b1902 Bulwell and Sarah b1904 Bulwell. In the 1911 census the family are living at 51 Arnold Road, Basford and are shown as Henry 43 yrs a coal miner/ hewer, he is living with his wife Selina 42 yrs and their children Dorothy 22 yrs a lace factory mender, John Henry, a miner/hewer, Gertrude 17 yrs a cotton mill spoiler, William a16 yrs a miner/ganger Emma 13 yrs a scholar, Hannah 12 yrs a scholar, Mary 9 yrs a scholar and Sarah 7 yrs a scholar.

He is a coal miner

Spr. William Shaw, initially served with the Sherwood Foresters Regiment, he later transferred to 173rd Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers, he was killed in action on 30th June 1916 and is buried in Maroc British Military Cemetery, Grenay.

In memoriam published 30th June 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “SHAW. – In loving memory of our dear son, Sapper William (Billy) Shaw, who was killed in action on June 30th, 1916. O, my lad, just for one touch of your dear hand, and one sound of your voice that is still. – From heart-broken mother, dad, grandma, two chums, Clarence and Jock (in France). “SHAW. – In loving memory of darling brother, Billy Shaw, who was killed in action June 30th, 1916. Memory keeps our loved one near us. – From sorrowing sisters Gerty, Emma, Annie, May, Sarah. “SHAW. – In loving memory of 79630 Sapper W. Shaw, R.E., killed in action June 30th, 1916. Ever in our thoughts. – From brother Jack and wife Clara Shaw. “SHAW. – In loving memory of 79630 Sapper W. Shaw, R.E., killed in action 30th June, 1916. One year has passed, oh, how we miss him, some may think the wound has healed, but little do they know the sorrow, that is within our hearts concealed. – From his loving sister Dolly and husband Will.” Above in memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918