Reprinted from The Packet, July 1, 2016
by Lester Green
Prisoner of War, Hanover Germany
Pte Andrew Shaw (Photo courtesy Mike Foley)
Born Sept. 30, 1893, Andrew Shaw of Little Heart’s Ease was the second oldest of four sons of Thomas William and Margaret (Walsh) Shaw.
In his late teens, Andrew worked in the steel industry in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He left his job at the Dominion Iron and Steel company to join the Newfoundland Regiment on May 12, 1916.
Andrew’s draft embarked aboard the troop ship S.S. Sicilian at St. John’s on July 19 and landed at HMS Vivid Naval Base, Devonport, England. The troop continued their journey to the training base at Racetrack Camp at Ayr’s Scotland.
He first saw active duty on Oct. 3, 1916, when he was assigned to the 1st Newfoundland Regiment under the command of British Expeditionary Forces. He embarked Southampton for Rouen, France and joined the regiment on Oct. 14.
On Dec. 9, he was admitted to 1 Stationary Hospital and transferred to 51th General Hospital on Dec. 12 at Rouen. He was discharged and assigned to Rouen base depot on December 19. He rejoined his battalion on Jan. 17, 1917.
He received a gunshot wound to his right leg during the early stages of the Battle of Langemarck, Belgium on Aug. 13, 1917.
He was transported by Field Ambulance stretcher bearers to the nearest General Hospital. He was invalided to King George General Hospital, Wandsworth, England aboard the hospital ship HMS Brighton on Aug. 17, suffering from inflammation of the connective tissue in his right leg.
Records show that Pte Shaw spent three months recovering from his wound. He was granted furlough on Oct. 17 and he was re-assigned to H Company at Ayr, Scotland for strengthening and conditioning.
On Feb 3, 1918, he received orders to re-join the 1st battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment.
He left for Southampton on Feb. 3 and arrived at the front on Feb. 6, 1918.
For the next two months the Regiment fought to hold defensive lines against advancing German Army determined to carry out a massive spring offensive along the Western Front in hopes of breaking the Allied Resistance.
Records indicate that on April 4, 1918, Private Shaw —along with approximately 150 other soldiers —went missing in action. It was assumed that they were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoner.
Several military records indicate that Pte Shaw was reported missing on April 12, 1918, including Payroll and Daily Order papers. On May 21, both the Evening Telegram and St. John’s Daily News reported that Pte Andrew Shaw was wounded and missing in action.
On May 15, a letter from Hannover, Germany prison camp arrived at the Newfoundland Contingent Office in London from Pte Andrew Shaw.
It was from Pte. Shaw. He spoke of his ordeal and described life there as being very wearing and the time seemed so long.
Today, we can only imagine the mental torture, if we were in the position of Private Shaw lying in a dirty, smelly prisoner camp, wearing shredded clothing, feeling excruciating pain from wounds and yearning for food and home. This letter is stamped as being received on June 12, 1918.
On June 12, 1918, Extract from Casualties, London report exciting news about Pte Shaw, “Previously reported missing, 12/04/1918 now reported wounded (Leg) and Prisoner of War in enemy hands. #2740 Private Andrew Shaw getting better slowly.”
Both the Evening Telegram and St. John’s Daily News reported on June 13, 1918 “Previously reported missing April 12th, now reported Prisoner of War, at Soltan, May 15th.”
A correspondence dated June 21 by the Newfoundland Contingent of Royal Newfoundland Regiment in London, writes Private Shaw to acknowledge the letter he wrote on May 15, requesting clothing and other supplies.
The letter explains that the parcels were sent on June 17 and contained clothing and bandages. It continues to describe that Newfoundland War Contingent Association has been advised that he is a prisoner, and every attention is being given to food parcels.
A second message is received from Private Shaw expressing concern that he is not receiving proper treatment for his wounds as a Prisoner of War. This message is written on the back of a postcard dated July 20, 1918.
Private Shaw received two parcels from the Red Cross on July 30 containing a variety of items including boots, braces, drawers, gloves, shirts, socks, vest, towels, handkerchief, etc..
These parcels containing new clothing must have been a welcome site for a person who had now spent over three months in a German prison camp in old clothing that by now were extremely dirty and badly shredded.
The Chief Paymaster and Officer of Newfoundland Contingent requested that the Secretary, War Office of Finsbury Court in London make application for the transfer of Private Shaw to England on Aug. 31. The War Office was informed that Private Shaw was wounded and suffering from a leg wound and being held Prisoner of War at Hannover, Germany prison camp.
On Sept. 5, 1918, the Newfoundland Contingent is informed that Private Andrew Shaw’s name will be placed on the list for recommendation to the Medical Commission which examine Prisoner of War for repatriation or transfer to a neutral country and the decision to release Private Shaw rests with the Commission and not with the British Authorities.
On Sept. 11, 1918, the Chief Paymaster and Officer of Records informs the Secretary, War Office, London to inform them they do not need to act upon the request. Private Andrew Shaw was released and now in King George Hospital, England.
Private Andrew Shaw’s ordeal as a “Wounded Prisoner of War” was finally over and the focus could now shift to medical treatment for the wounds sustained on April 4, 1919.
His family and friends surely rejoiced and celebrated the return of their son. Focus now changed from being a POW to that of a wounded soldier.
After the war, Pte Shaw attended the School of Telegraphy for a one-year program. He completed this program and listed his occupation as a telegrapher in June, 1921. After a short period of time as a telegrapher, he obtained a job at the Liquor Commission on Water Street, where he remained until his retirement in the 1960s.
He married Mary Stanford of St. John’s on June 15, 1921. Andrew and Mary lived at 22 McKay Street, St. John’s and had nine children.
He spent the final two years of his life at St. Patrick’s Nursing Home on Elizabeth Avenue. He passed away on April 10, 1976, and was laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Roman Catholic Cemetery, Topsail Road, St. John’s, NL.
Royal Newfoundland Regiment Military Service Record
Private Andrew Shaw #2740
May 12, 1916: Enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment on May 12, 1916 at St. John’s.
June 16, 1916: Allotment of 60 cents per diem deducted from pay and forwarded to Mrs. Margaret Shaw, Little Heart’s Ease.
July 19, 1916: Embarked from St. John’s on the S.S. Sicilian for the U.K.
Oct. 3, 1916: Embarked for British Expeditionary Force at Southampton. Disembarked Rouen, France.
Nov. 11, 1916 Admitted 1st Stationary Hospital Rouen, France.
Dec. 16, 1916: Discharged to Base Depot Rouen, France.
Aug. 13, 1917: Admitted to Field Ambulance Hospital with Gunshot wound to right leg received at Battle of Langemarck, Belgium.
Aug. 17, 1917: Transferred aboard “Brighton.” Admitted 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England.
Aug.21, 1917: Telegraph letter forwarded to William Thomas about Pte Shaw’s injury.
Oct. 17, 1917: Furlough than attached to H Company Depot Ayr, Scotland for strengthening.
Feb 4, 1918: Transferred from 2nd Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment and proceeded to 1st battalion Western Front, Feb 15.
April 12, 1918: Reported wounded and missing in action.
May 8, 1918: Letter received from Maggie Parker, Newtown, Scotland concern Andrew Shaw’s whereabouts.
May 21, 1918: Telegraph to William Thomas that son is missing. (image 36)
May 21, 1918: Letter from Miss Jeanie Ritcher, Ayr, Scotland concerning Andrew Shaw’s whereabouts.
June 12, 1918: Reported missing but now in the hands of enemy.
June 15, 1918: William Thomas received telegraph informing him his son now a prisoner of war.
June 21, 1918: Newfoundland Contingent , London notifies Private Shaw that the first shipment of clothing,and badges was shipped on June 17, 1919.
July 6, 1918: Letter to William Thomas Shaw about condition of his son.
July 20, 1918: Letter from Hannover, Deutschland, Germany by Andrew Shaw.
Aug. 4, 1918: Letter from Rev. W.M. Tarahan, R.C. Pastor, Trinity, inquiring about Andrew Shaw’s status as prisoner of war and transfer from Germany prisoner to England.
Aug. 31, 1918: Chief Paymaster pleads War Office, Finnbury Court to transfer Andrew Shaw to England from Germany.
Sept. 7, 1918: Admitted to King George Hospital, gunshot wound left hip
Sept. 10, 1918: Telegraph to William Thomas Shaw informing about his son, Andrew.
Sept. 11, 1918: Response by Chief Paymaster to letter from War Office, Private Andrew Shaw since as arrived in England from Germany. No further action required.
Sept 14, 1918: Letter from William Thomas Shaw concerning a message to be sent to his son.
Sept 19, 1918 Transferred to 3 London General Hospital from King George Hospital, London
Jan. 23, 1919: Medical Board report for Andrew Shaw
Jan. 23, 1919: Statement by a Soldier concerning his own case at 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England.
Mar. 10, 1919: Letter from William Thomas inquiring when his son is coming home.
May 22, 1919: Embarked Liverpool aboard SS Corsican for St. John’s, arriving June 1, 1919.
June 1, 1919: Recommended for discharge.
July 10, 1919: Demobilization at St. John’s.
July 10, 1919: Discharge Certificate #2908 issued to Pte Shaw.
Total service time: 1155 days