SHAW R.B.

ROBERT BAYLES SHAW 1894-1918

35216 Private Robert Bayles Shaw, 2/4th Battalion, the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) was killed in action 29 September 1918 and is buried at Masnieres British Cemetery, Marcoing, France.[1]  He was 24 years old and is commemorated on the West Auckland War Memorial and the Roll of Honour, West Auckland Memorial Hall.

Family Details

Robert Bayles Shaw was born in 1894[2] at West Auckland the son of John and Mary Shaw.  There were at least 5 children, all born at West Auckland:[3]

  • Robert Bayles born 1894
  • John bc.1903
  • Elizabeth bc.1906
  • Joseph bc.1906
  • William Bayles bc.1909

In 1901 the family lived at Diamond Terrace, West Auckland and 29 year old John worked as a coal miner (hewer).[4]  By 1911, the family lived at 7 Diamond Terrace and John still worked as a coal miner (hewer).  17 year old Robert worked as a coal miner (banks man).[5]  Robert married Beatrice Hannah Tweddle at St. Helen’s Auckland Parish church 17 April 1918.[6]  Robert lived at 11 Oakley Street, West Auckland[7] and Beatrice in 1919 lived at 28 Chapel Street, West Auckland.[8]

Military Details

Robert Bayles Shaw attested 8 December 1915 aged 21 years 3 months and joined the Training Reserve Battalion.[9]  He undertook a medical examination 3 April 1918 when aged 23 years 6 months.  He was 5’5½” tall and found “fit for foreign service”. [10] His religion was Church of England.[11]

9 December 1915, Private R.B. Shaw was posted to the Army Reserve and was mobilized 20 April 1918 and 21 April 1918 joined the 85th T.R. Battalion.[12]  6 May 1918 he was transferred to 3rd Battalion, the East Yorkshire Regiment (being given the regimental number 39178.[13])  29 August 1918 he embarked for France and 30 August 1918, Private R.B. Shaw was posted to 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment.  2 September 1918 he was transferred (compulsorily permanently) and posted to the 2/4th Battalion, the West Riding Regiment.[14]  Private R.B. Shaw was given the regimental number 35216.[15]

The 2/4th Battalion, the West Riding Regiment was formed at Halifax in September 1914 as a home service second line unit and came under the orders of 186th Brigade 62nd (West Riding) Division.  It landed in France in January 1917.[16]  In August 1918, the 186th Brigade was comprised the following units:

  • 2/4th, the Duke of Wellington’s
  • 5th, the Duke of Wellington’s
  • 186th Trench Mortar Battery
  • 2/4th, the Hampshire Regiment joined 14 June 1918

Private R.B. Shaw entered France 30 August 1918 as the Battalion was involved at the Battle of the Scarpe (26-30 August 1918).  Further engagements followed:[17]

  • 2 September: The Battle of the Drocourt – Quent Line
  • 12 September: the Battle of Havrincourt
  • 27 – 30 September: the Battle of the Canal du Nord

Private R.B. Shaw was reported killed in action or died of wounds on or shortly after 29 September 1918.[18] Later research records that between 1 and 30 September 1918, 2/4th Bn., the West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellington’s) lost 90 Other Ranks killed in action or died of wounds including 39 on 29 September 1918.[19]  The 2/4th Bn., War Diary has not been researched thus the circumstances of these deaths is, to date, unknown.

The service record of Private R.B. Shaw was as follows:[20]

Home                                                       

  • 8 December 1915 to 9 December 1915………………………………….…….…..1 day
  • Reserve Battalion: 9 December 1915 to 19 April 1918……………….2 years 132 days
  • Home: 20 April 1918 to 29 August 1918………………………………….……..132 days

France

  • 30 August 1918 to 29 September 1918…………………………………………….31 days
  • Total ………………………………………………………………….2 years 296 days
  • Reserve………………………………………………………………. 2 years 123 days

35216 Private R.B. Shaw was awarded the British War and Victory medals.[21]

Burial

Private R.B. Shaw is buried at grave reference I.C.2 Masnieres British Cemetery, Marcoing, Nord, France.  His wife had the following epitaph inscribed on his headstone:

Have Mercy Upon Him Lord

And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him

Masnieres is south west of Cambrai and south east of Marcoing.  The cemetery is in an isolated location.  The village was evacuated ½ December 1917 and recaptured 29 September 1918 by the 62nd (West Riding) Division.  There are 167 WW1 Commonwealth burials. [22]

References

[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission                                                                                                          

[2] England & Wales Birth Index 1837-1915 Vol.10a p.234 Auckland 1894 Q4

[3] 1901 & 1911 Census Note: 1901 census records Houghton le Side as his place of birth

[4] 1901 census

[5] 1911 census

[6] Army Form Descriptive Report on Enlistment

[7] Army Form B.2512

[8] Army Form W.5080

[9] Army Form B.2512

[10] Army Form B.178 Note much cannot be deciphered

[11] Army Form Descriptive Report on Enlistment

[12] Army Form B.103

[13] Soldiers Died in the Great War

[14] Army form B.103 & Statement of the Services

[15] Soldiers Died in the Great War & Army Forms W.5080 & B.178

[16] http://www.1914-1918.net/dukes,htm

[17] http://www.1914-1918.net/62div.htm

[18] Statement of the Services

[19] SDGW Note: no details of 2/4th Bn., officers available

[20] Statement of the Services

[21] Medal Roll

[22] CWGC

Photographs

SHAW R.B.
Headstone