Reprinted from The Packet, May 16, 2016
by Lester Green
Promoted from Private to Lance Corporal
William James Shaw was born at Little Heart’s Ease to John and Ellen Shaw on March 24, 1896. He travelled to St. John’s and enlisted in Royal Newfoundland Regiment on December 29, 1917.
He signed his allotment papers on Jan. 28, 1918 agreeing to have sixty cents removed from his pay per diem payable to his father, John Shaw. One day later he embarked on the S.S. Florizel from St. John’s to Halifax. From Halifax he travelled overseas.
Private Shaw signed a form on June 28 giving permission to the Paymaster at London to remove $2.50 quarterly from his pay and be deposited in the account of Newfoundland War Contingent Fund (N.W.C.A.) Prisoner of War to support fellow students captured during the war.
Private Shaw’s received orders on July 2 that he would be leaving Scotland and travelling to Folkestone, England. Here he embarked for Rouen, France and joined the 1st Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment under the command of the British Expeditionary Forces.
When he arrived at the front lines, he was placed under the command of Captain Sydney Frost “B” company. Private Shaw would spend the next several months marching across France, Belgium and into Germany. He would engage in several battles with the Germans. Pte Shaw’s name is noted among Captain Frost memoirs as being one of the men of “B” company who went over the top as a rifleman at the initial attack of Sept. 28, just prior to advances of the Third Battle of Ypres.
He answered the Roll call after strenuous fighting during September and October, 1918. He was one of the fortunate soldiers to survive. For his heroic he was recommend by Captain Frost for a promotion from Private to Lance Corporal on Jan. 29. This recommendation was granted on Jan. 31, 1919. He was the only Royal Newfoundland Regiment soldier granted this title in the Southwest Arm region.
On Feb. 19 he was admitted to the 6th General Hospital at Rouen and was listed as seriously ill suffering from pneumonia. His condition was listed as improving by Mar. 3.
His father was notified of the seriousness of his son’s condition in a telegraph written on Feb. 22. It read: “Regret to inform you that Record Office, London, officially reports No. 4278 L/Cpl. William J. Shaw at 6th General Hospital Rouen Feb. 20th suffering from pneumonia, seriously ill…”
His sister, Mrs. William Norris, who was now living in Grates Cove, was also notified of her brothers condition through three telegraphs.
Lance Corporal Shaw was transferred from Rouen to St. Andrews Hospital, Dollis Hill, London on Mar. 10 where he was diagnosed with influenza.
His father was updated on his son’s condition on Mar. 15 by the Militia at St. John’s.
He was transferred again on Mar. 17 to the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth, England.
Mar. 31 the family received celebratory news about their son’s medical condition from the Militia. It informed the family that “…visiting committee of the Newfoundland War Contingent Association informs that No 4278 was progressing favorable.”
On April 5, he was discharged from 3rd London General Hospital and granted furlough until April 14, but reported to 2nd Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment at Hazeley Downs, Winchester two days early. Two weeks later medical proceeding began at Hazeley Down for his eventual repatriation from the army.
Two Companies of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment participated in the Triumphal Victory March of Dominion troops through London. One company being commanded and led by Captain Sydney Frost. Whether Lance Corporal Shaw participated is unknown but one can be assured that he celebrated with his friends from Random that festive day.
The docks at Liverpool were lined with thousands of cheering people has the officers and soldiers of various ranks of the 1st, 2nd, and Forestry Corps marched aboard the S.S. Corsican on the morning of Thursday, May 22, 1919. The British War Brides of soldiers from the Regiment had boarded earlier. The ship pulled away from the dock and all soldiers onboard were finally going home.
S.S. Corsican slipped into St. John’s harbor on June 1 to brightly decorated ships and boats with horns blaring and cheering crowds lining the dockside, with music echoing off the hillside. The soldiers disembarked and marched to the Government house where the Regimental Colors were presented to Sir Alexander Harris.
For Lance Corporal Shaw service to his King, he was presented with the Victory Medal and British War Medal. He returned to Little Heart’s Ease for a short period of time. No records could be found of his whereabouts after 1921. If you know of any information, feel free to contact me.
Source for info on Wm Shaw comes from Captain Sydney Frost Diaries – the Royal Newfoundland Regiment website under heading Frost Messages.
Private William James Shaw #4278
Dec. 29, 1917: Attestation papers signed at St. John’s, Nl.
Jan. 17, 1918: Granted furlough until Jan. 28.
Jan 28, 1918: Allotment payable to his father, John Shaw for 60cents per diem.
Jan. 29, 1918: Embarked with H Company aboard SS Florizel to Halifax, NS.
June 28, 1918: Signed NWCA Prisoner of War Fund $2.50.
July 2, 1918: Embarked Folkestone, UK for British Expeditionary force.
July 5, 1918: Disembarked Rouen, France.
Jan. 31, 1919: Appointed to Lance Corporal.
Feb. 19, 1919: Admitted to 6th General Hospital, Rouen, France.
Feb. 20, 1919: Seriously ill.
Feb. 22, 1919: Telegraph to John Shaw about sons condition.
February 24, 1919: Seriously ill.
Feb. 26, 1919: Telegraph from Mrs. Wm Norris about Lance Corporal Wm Shaw.
Feb. 28, 1919: Letter to Mrs. Wm Norris about condition of brother.
Mar. 3, 1919: Pneumonia improving.
Mar. 4, 1919: Letter to Mrs. Wm Norris concerning illness of Wm James Shaw.
Mar. 6, 1919: Telegraph to John Shaw about his sons sickness.
Mar. 8, 1919: Transferred from Rouen to the United Kingdom.
Mar. 10, 1919: Admitted to St. Andrews Hospital, Dollis Hill, London.
Mar. 15, 1919: Diagnosed with influenza.
Mar.15, 1919: Telegraph sent to John Shaw informing him about his sons sickness.
Mar. 17, 1919: Transferred to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, London.
Mar. 17, 1919: Transferred from 2nd to 3rd General Hospital.
Mar. 31, 1919: letter to John Shaw concerning his sickness.
Apr. 5, 1919: Discharged from 3rd London General Hospital and granted furlough to April 14.
Apr. 12, 1919: Reported to 2nd Battalion and posted to company H.
Apr. 26, 1919: Medical Report before discharge at Hazeley Down.
May 22, 1919: Departed Liverpool aboard SS Corsican for St. John’s for demobilization. Arrived June 1.
June 7, 1919: Demobilized at St. John’s and Demobilization form.
June 9, 1919: Proceedings for discharge of Lance Corporal Shaw.
June 15, 1919: Discharge approved.
July 10, 1919: Discharge Confirmed.
Oct. 21, 1921: Victory and British War medals for service.
Served 1 year and 192 days.