Reprinted from The Packet, June 23, 2016
by Lester Green
Private Shaw was in London for victory parade
Pte Daniel Shaw Royal Newfoundland Regiment (Photo courtesy of Fred Shaw)
Daniel Francis was born March 14, 1896, at Little Heart’s Ease to Daniel and Hannah (Antle) Shaw.
His childhood was spent roaming the shorelines at Little Heart’s Ease. In his teenage years he pursued the cod fishery and helped in operating a sawmill. Lumber was harvested and shipped to markets in St John’s aboard Seven Brothers, the family schooner.
Daniel enlisted in the Great War on May 9, 1918 when he accompanied his friends Levi Jacobs and Abraham Spurrell, to St. John’s. He was assigned to Draft No. 55 and started his basic training.
On June 8 he requested that an allotment of 55 cents per diem be deducted from his pay and forwarded to his mother, Mrs. Daniel (Hannah) Shaw.
He boarded a train in St. John’s three days later and crossed the island of Newfoundland with the rest of the Draft, as re-enforcements for the Regiment overseas. Upon arrival in Halifax, he continued training and awaited further military orders.
On July 1, Private Shaw requested that Chief Paymaster in London deduct $2.50 in quarterly instalments for a period of one year. This money was to be paid to the Newfoundland War Continent Association “Prisoner of War Fund.” A payment to this fund seemed very appropriate since his cousin, Private Andrew Shaw was being held prisoner at Hannover, Germany.
By Sept. 22, Private Shaw was based at Hazeley Down Camps, Winchester, England.
Orders received Oct. 26, stated that the re-enforcement draft number 55 from the 2nd Battalion was being called up for active duty on the Western Front. They embarked at Folkestone and joined the 1st Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment on Nov. 3, under the command of the British Expeditionary Forces in France.
He saw active duty in France, Belgium and Germany from the Oct. 26, 1918 to April 22, 1919. His battalion was ordered to leave Rouen, France, and proceed to Hazeley Down Camps at Winchester, England.
On May 3, a victory parade known as Triumphal Victory March of Dominion Troops, marched through the streets of London. The British forces and members of Royal Newfoundland Regiment, along with representation from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Africa participated. Records do not indicate if Private Shaw participated officially but he would have taken part in the festivities.
On May 22, after other passengers had boarded, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment proudly marched onboard the S.S. Corsican and set sail in a jubilant manner to a flag-waving, roaring crowd on the waterfront of Liverpool.
It took 10 days to cross the Atlantic. The ship arrived on a rainy day to a flotilla of small, brightly-decorated ships with horns blowing. Onshore crowds had gathered to welcome the soldiers home.
The Evening Telegram reported on this event one day later, describing the scene with these words: “…. Emerging from the pier gate they were greeted with vividly enthusiastic cheering and general noise of welcome. Swinging up Water Street to Prsecott Street through which they passed, the Battalion turned down Military Road…..and Regimental Colors were presented to the Governor….”
On June 7, 1919, Private Daniel Shaw applied for demobilization. Confirmation of his discharge was dated July 5, 1919. He had served the Regiment for 423 days and was now able to go to his home.
On Oct. 21, 1921 two medals were sent to him by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Victory War Medal and British War Medal for his service in Europe. On October 26, he acknowledged receiving these medals.
On Aug. 30, 1927 he sailed from St. John’s to South Boston, Massachusetts, aboard the SS Farnorth in search of work. He listed himself has a single, 31 years old ironworker. He was going to join his brother, James, who was already living and working in Boston.
He worked most of his life as ironworker and fished out of Gloucester and Boston when the steel building industry was slow.
He married Mary Elizabeth Hynes of St. Brendan’s, Nl., on Oct 26, 1930, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, East Boston. They had five children.
After his first wife passed away in 1943, he re-married in early 1950s to Ann Curley.
Daniel Shaw passed away in 1976 and is buried in Middlesex, Boston.
RNR service record for Pte. Daniel Shaw
May 9, 1918: Enlisted at St. John’s, Nl at age 23 years.
June 8, 1918: Request allotment of 55 cents for his mother, Mrs. Hannah Shaw.
June 11, 1918: Embarked St. John’s to Halifax by train.
July 1, 1918: Daniel requested that $2.50 be taken out for N.W.C.A “Prisoners of War Fund”.
Sept 20, 198: Payment from Newfoundland Contingent for 5 pounds at Hazaley Down Camps.
Oct 26, 1918: Embarked Folkestone from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Hazeley Down Camps, Winchester.
Oct 26, 1918: Disembarked Rouen, France and joined 1st Battalion under command of British Expeditionary Forces on Nov. 3, 1918
Nov 18, 1918: Letter from Mrs. Daniel Shaw concerning cheque for Oct. month.
April 22, 1919: Left 1st Battalion at Rouen Camps, embarked at Le Harve and disembarked at Southampton reaching the Hazeley Down Camps on April 23, 1919.
May 1, 1918: Medical Report completed at Hazeley Down camps.
May 9, 1919: Payment from Newfoundland Contingent for 6 pounds 3 shillings.
May 22, 1919: Embarked Liverpool for Newfoundland for repatriation.
June 1, 1919: Arrived in Newfoundland aboard the S.S. Corsican.
June 5, 1919: Demobilization proceeding began at St. John’s, Nl.
June 7, 1919: Application for War Service Gratuity completed.
June 21 1919 Discharge approved by O.C Discharge Depot .
July 7, 1919: Extract from Daily orders from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment confirmed his demobilization papers.
July 7, 1919: Letter reference of payment for $70.00 first payment due for Wr Service Gratuity.
Oct 21, 1921: Awarded medals of Victory War Medal and British War Medal.
Total Service: 1 year and 58 days