George Shaw
Gamekeeper
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
George Shaw (junior) was born on 24th December 1883 at Bilby he was the son of the late George Shaw ( senior) a gamekeeper and the late Ann Bust Otter of Bilby Kennels, Retford,
His father George (senior) was born in 1843 at Edwinstow, he died in 1916 he was 73 yrs of age, his mother Ann Bust Otter was born in 1844 at Faldingworth, Lincolnshire, they were married on 19th July 1875 at Lincoln, they went on to have 7 children.
They started a family in Reepham, Lincolnshire before moving to Bilby where George was employed as a gamekeeper on the Osberton estate. They had another four children, including George, who was the fifth of seven. When he grew older, George gained employment as a gamekeeper, like his father, on the estate.
In the 1911 census his family are living at Bilby Kennels, Retford, George Shaw (senior) 68 yrs is a game keeper, he is living with his wife Ann Bust 67 yrs and their children, Mary Elizabeth 30 yrs adomestic cook, George 27 yrs a game keepr and Maud 25 yrs working at home.
George Shaw joined the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt) Training reserve. he died during training at Brocton camp on 23rd February 1917 and is buried in Rugeley Cemetery, Staffordshire. grave reference II 422
Private George Shaw Retford Times 2 March 1917
Private George Shaw whos death on the 23rd February at Brocton Camp is reported in our obituary column, was the son of the late Mr George Shaw of Bilby. For 18 years he worked as a keeper for the Osberton estate. Soon after the outbreak of war he offered his services to his country but was rejected as medically as unfit but on January 17th last was accepted on re-examination. Always delicate, he was always unable to withstand the severity of camp life and died within six weeks of being called up. He leaves a widowed mother by whom was dearly beloved and will be sorely missed not only by his family but by the many friends his kindly and genial nature had won for him. He is one of the many who, not in the glamour of battle, but in the quiet of the training camp, have made the great sacrifice for home and country.
Research by Colin Dannatt/Peter Gillings
George Shaw
This photo was first published in the Retford Times following the death of George Shaw
George Shaw
Photo shows the death plaque (dead man's penny ) of George Shaw, now at Bassetlaw Museum, Retford . Courtesy of the Bassetlaw Museum.
Photo of George Shaw
Commonwealth wargraves heastone marking the grave of George Shaw at Rugeley Cemetery,