Lance Corporal Andrew Shaw
Biography of Lance Corporal Andrew Shaw
Andrew McFarlane Shaw was born on the 21st March 1892. He was the third child of six to Andrew and Helen Shaw. The family were based in the Gorbals district of Glasgow but later moved to the West End where Donald Shaw worked as a spirit merchant. Andrew began working as a Pathology Laboratory Assistant at the University in his early twenties.
At the outbreak of war he heeded the requests for recruits and enlisted in the 8th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The group formed in Dunoon and were drafted to France on the 24th January 1916. He wrote to his father the day before warning him that they may be drafted but asking him not to tell the family until it was confirmed. He reassured him by writing "I am in the very best of health and fully trained so there is no fear for me."
The 8th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were attached to the 51st Highland Division. He was appointed Lance Corporal with them on 8th March 1916. From the Battalion's war diaries we can see that he was actively involved on the front line. The Battalion were subject to a number of bombardments, enemy attacks and mine explosions. The diary entry from the 2nd July 1916 reads;
"At 12.35am an intense Artillery fire opened on enemy lines in the Sector on our Left. Retaliation at once commenced and continued till about 1.15am. During this bombardment the front held by Right Company and Right Centre Company of 1st/8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlander's was heavily shelled."
It was in this attack that Andrew lost his life, aged just 24 years. He is buried in Plot II in Mareouil British Cemetery in France alongside his six comrades from the 1/8th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders who were killed during the same bombardment. At the time the University wrote to Andrew's family extending their sympathies. This letter, along with those Andrew sent home from the front have kindly been donated to the University and can be consulted in the archives and his personal effects can be seen in the Hunterian Museum.
University Connections
WWI Roll of Honour
Summary
Lance Corporal Andrew Shaw
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: 1st Bn./8th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Degree: N/A
Awards: N/A
Comments: Killed in action, 3 July 1916.
Note/Press Clipping: Ch 4/4/2/3/1272-1279
Photo ID: Ch 4/4/2/2/260
Sources
Photograph: (GUAS Ref: CH 4/4/2/2/260)
Letters: (GUAS Ref: CH 4/4/2/3/1272-1278)
Biography: Correspondence with Brian Cooper (GUAS Ref: CH 4/4/2/3/1279)
War Diary Extract: Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders War Diary (The National Archives (Ref: W0 95/2865)
Army Service Record: The National Archives (Ref: W0 363/S222)
Burial Place: Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Debt of Honour Register
There are no comments available.