Pte 26588 William Walton Shaw

William is found, at three months old (suggesting he was born in December 1880) on the 1881 Census (taken on 3rd April), his parents living at 111 Bishopgate, his father, 35, a corn miller, and his mother 27.

 

In 1891 the family is living at 11 Holme Street, Toxteth Park. His father, Samuel, is 45 year old corn miller, his mother, Jane, is aged 36. They have four children in the household; William, the eldest is aged 10, Agnes is 8, and Jane is 5, all three are at school, Elizabeth is aged 3. Also present is the children's grandmother, Elizabeth Walton a 68 year old widow living on her own means.  

 

By 1901 they have moved to 40 Thames Street, where his parents will remain. They have four children, William, 21, is a corn miller like his father. 

 

When he was 26, Willie married Leonora Catherine Kewish, 25, on 20th January 1907 in St. Nathaniel's Church, Edge Hill. He gives his occupation as labourer, and his residence as 40 Thames Street. Their son Samuel Walton was born on 30th December 1907, followed by William Arthur on 13th September 1909.

The 1911 census finds the young family at 61 Copperfield Street, Toxteth Park. Willie is 30, a flour miller’s labourer, Leonora is 29, Samuel is 3 and William 1.

 

His parents are still living at 40 Thames Street, with daughter Alice, 18, a laundress. His father is 65, still working as a flour miller’s labourer, his mother is 57.

 

A daughter, Leonora Catherine, was born on 04th November 1911.

 

Willie enlisted in Liverpool in the Royal Field Artillery on 05th April 1915 as Gnr 13466, 151st Brigade. He gives his age as 34 years and 4 months, and his occupation as labourer.  He is described as being 5’ 7 and a half inches tall, weighing 136 lbs. His medical record notes, ‘teeth defective’, ‘subject to dental treatment’. He joined his battalion at Lytham on 06th April 1915, but was discharged two weeks later as medically unfit, on 21st April 1915.

 

He enlisted again in Liverpool, this time joining the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 26588. The amount of the War Gratuity suggests that he enlisted in about August 1915 

 

Willie shipped to France with his battalion, disembarking on 29th December 1915. The medal roll (giving his name as William Walter) shows that he was transferred at some point to the 11th Bn K.L.R. and subsequently to the 1st KLR.

 

William was badly wounded and admitted to No. 21 Casualty Clearing Station on 09th February 1918. His injuries were described as multiple. He sadly succumbed to his wounds on 13th February 1918, aged 37. 

He now rests at Rocqigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery IX.F.25 where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"A SILENT THOUGHT A SECRET TEAR KEEPS HIS MEMORY EVER DEAR"

Etricourt was occupied by Commonwealth troops at the beginning of April 1917 during the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. It was lost on the 23 March 1918 when the Germans advanced, but regained at the beginning of September.

The cemetery was begun in 1917 and used until March 1918, mainly by the 21st and 48th Casualty Clearing Stations posted at Ytres, and to a small extent by the Germans, who knew it as "Etricourt Old English Cemetery". Burials were resumed by Commonwealth troops in September 1918 and the 3rd Canadian and 18th Casualty Clearing Stations buried in it in October and November 1918.

The cemetery contains 1,838 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 20 of the burials are unidentified and nine Commonwealth graves (6 of which were made by the Germans) which cannot now be found are represented by special memorials. The cemetery also contains 198 German war burials and the graves of ten French civilians.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield. 

His CWGC certificate shows 19th K.L.R. although his headstone displays the white horse of Hanover, not the Pals’ Eagle and Child. The Graves Registration Form shows 1st K.L.R.

 

His parents placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo on 20th February 1918:

“Died of wounds, in hospital, Willie, the beloved and only son of Samuel and Jane Shaw, 40 Thames Street.”

 

His children were 10, 8, and 6 years old when Willie died.  

 

Leonora received his Army effects and a War Gratuity of £12-10s.  She was awarded a pension of £1-9s-7d a week for herself and three children from August 1918, her residence 46 Eden Street.

 

His father died in 1919 aged 74, and his mother in 1920, aged 67, still living at 40 Thames Street.

 

In 1939 Leonora, 57, is still at 46 Eden Street, with daughter Leonora, 28, and her husband;  son William, 30,  lives at no.50 with his family; eldest son Samuel 32, lives with his family in Huyton with Roby.

 

His son William pre-deceased his mother, dying in 1954, at the age of 44. Leonora died at 75 in 1959;  daughter Leonora died in 1977, and his son Samuel died in 1984.

 

Willie is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 38 Left.

 

We currently have no further information on William Walton Shaw, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.