William Robinson Shaw
Royal Marines Light Infantry
Derek Johnstone and Carole Fife have provided the following:
William Robinson Shaw was born 12/12/ 1889, the son of William Robinson Shaw, and Martha Shaw who were both born in Whitby, Yorkshire and. William’s father was a jet worker in Whitby before becoming a coal miner in Northumberland. In 1901, William was aged about 11 and his family lived at Hollymount, Bedlington where his father worked in the coal mines. In the household at this time were siblings Francis 17, Mary 14, Nellie 8, Charlie 4 and Herbert aged 2.
By 1911 William’s family had moved to 2, Beech Grove, Bedlington where he was single and employed as grocers assistant, aged 21.
William and his younger brother Robert enlisted on the same day when living at Beech Grove. They enlisted into the same unit which we know because they have consecutive service numbers. After initial training they were sent to Gallipoli where they both died.
His brothers Frank Robinson Shaw and Robert Shaw also died in the Great War. William and Robert had consecutive service numbers and died within two days of each other.
William Robinson Shaw is remembered in Bedlington Station on B163.04, in Bedlington on B15.19 and B15.20
