Albert Shaw
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Albert was the son of William and Emma Goodwin Shaw (née Bellamy). Both his parents were born in Burton Joyce, his father in 1857 and his mother in 1858. Wiliam and Emma were married at Burton Joyce St Helen on 29 May 1882 and had twelve children of whom six died in infancy or childhood. Their surviving children were all born in Burton Joyce and at least four were baptised at St Helen's: Henry William b. 12 August 1882 bap. 24 September 1882; Mary Eliza b. 26 December 1884 bap. 29 May 1887; Albert b. 23 June 1886 bap. 29 May 1887; George b. 1888; Samuel b. 6 April 1891 bap. 7 May 1891 and Frederick Bellamy b. 1893. In 1891 William, a framework knitter, and Emma were living on Main Street, Burton Joyce, with their four children Henry, Eliza, Albert and George. William and Emma were still living on Main Street in 1911 but only three of their six children were still living at home: George (22) a colliery labourer, Samuel (19) a cowman and Frederick (17) a fitter's labourer. Henry (28) was living in Burton Joyce with his uncle, William Goodwin Copley, and his wife Sarah Jane. His uncle was a carrier and general carter and Henry was his general help. Mary Eliza had married Edward Brown Holmes in 1907 and they were living on Curzon Street, Netherfield, Nottingham; Edward worked in the oil stores at the railway locomotive depot. Mary Eliza died in 1928. Albert had married Ellen Graves (b. 30 January 1889) in 1909 (reg. J/F/M/ Bingham, Nelly Graves) and they were living on Main Street with the first of their four children, William Henry (b. 15 August 1909). They had three more children: Albert Edward b. 23 June 1911, Phyllis Mary b. 22 July 1914 and Elsie b. 15 December 1916. William Shaw died in 1927. His widow Emma Goodwin was still living on Main Road, Burton Joyce, in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Emma died on 29 April 1945. She had made a Will and probate was awarded to her sons George, a colliery shunter, and Samuel, a miner. Albert's widow married Aubrey T Toon in 1923 and they had four children: Joyce (b. 9 July 1923), Francis Norman (b. 26 February 1925), Leonard (b. 26 October 1926) and Audrey (b. 1 August 1928). They lived at Harlequin, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire. Aubrey died in 1932. Ellen was still living at the Harlequin in 1939. Also in the household were three of her children by Albert Shaw, William Henry a painter's labourer (d. 1991), Albert Edward a labourer (d. 2001) and Elsie a machinist, together with her children by her second marriage, Joyce ('incapacitated'), Leonard and Audrey. The record of one other member of the household remains closed but was probably that of her son Francis Norman. Ellen Toon married Henry Rhodes in 1941. She probably died in 1950.
Gunner Albert Shaw enlisted in Carlton, Nottingham, and served with 270th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Albert was killed in action on 30th November 1917. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Cambrai memorial. CWGC -History of Cambrai Memorial (extract): 'The Cambrai Memorial commemorates more than 7,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South Africa who died in the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917 and whose graves are not known. Sir Douglas Haig described the object of the Cambrai operations as the gaining of a 'local success by a sudden attack at a point where the enemy did not expect it' and to some extent they succeeded. The proposed method of assault was new, with no preliminary artillery bombardment. Instead, tanks would be used to break through the German wire, with the infantry following under the cover of smoke barrages. The attack began early in the morning of 20 November 1917 and initial advances were remarkable. However, by 22 November, a halt was called for rest and reorganisation, allowing the Germans to reinforce. From 23 to 28 November, the fighting was concentrated almost entirely around Bourlon Wood and by 29 November, it was clear that the Germans were ready for a major counter attack. During the fierce fighting of the next five days, much of the ground gained in the initial days of the attack was lost. For the Allies, the results of the battle were ultimately disappointing but valuable lessons were learnt about new strategies and tactical approaches to fighting. The Germans had also discovered that their fixed lines of defence, no matter how well prepared, were vulnerable ... The memorial stands on a terrace at one end of Louverval Military Cemetery.' (www.cwgc.org)
His brother Private Henry William Shaw enlisted at Nottingham and served with the 2/6th battalion Sherwood Foresters. He was killed in action on 21st March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. 'In Memoriam' notices published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 29th November 1918: - SHAW. – In loving memory of Gnr. Albert Shaw, died of wounds November 30th, 1917. A day of remembrance sad to recall. – From father, mother, brothers, and sisters. “SHAW. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Gnr. Albert Shaw, of Burton Joyce, died of wounds received at Cambrai November 30th, 1917, aged 31. Cherished memories, shattered hopes. – From loving wife Nellie and four children. Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His widow Ellen was his legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: named his widow Ellen and their four children, William Henry, Albert Edwars, Phyllis Mary and Elsie.
