Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Passchendaele’ M.M. group of six awarded to Lieutenant William Norman Shaw, 28th Battalion Canadian Infantry

Military Medal, G.V.R. (446365 Sjt., 28/Can. Inf.); 1914-15 Star (446365 Pte., 28 Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, these unnamed, mounted court style for wear, some contact marks, about very fine and better (6) £600-700

M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918.

Citation reads, ‘For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty at Passchendaele on November 7th, 1917. His platoon commander having become a casualty almost immediately after the advance began, he assumed command of the platoon and led it to its objective with great skill and courage. Under heavy fire he superintended consolidation and organisation of the defensive position. Later when supplies were urgently required he volunteered to return, and did return, for supplies through heavy fire. Throughout the operations he set a splendid example to his men’.

William Norman Shaw was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, on 22 August 1895. Prior to emigrating to Canada, he had enlisted and served one year in the West Yorkshire Regiment. A Labourer by occupation, with the onset of war, he enlisted on 29 April 1915 at Calgary, Alberta, with the 56th Infantry Battalion. Arriving in the U.K. in July 1915 he was transferred to the 30th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe, Kent, before sailing to France on 27 October 1915, and joining the 28th Battalion on 3 November.

He was advanced to Lance-Corporal in July 1916, Corporal in August 1916 and Serjeant in March 1917. Shaw was wounded on 27 September 1916, receiving a gun shot wound to the face during the actions around Thiepval Ridge-Regina Trench (Courelette) during the Somme Campaign. He was awarded the Military Medal for his brave actions at Passchendaele on 7 November 1917.

On 16 January 1918 he was sent to the officer training college at Bramshott and on 15 May 1918 he was appointed a Temporary Lieutenant in the Saskatchewan Regiment. He returned to France on 12 September 1918 and once more served with the 28th Battalion Canadian Infantry. He was discharged in England on 5 August 1919.

Between the wars he was employed as a Cook. He enlisted into the 15th Battalion Alberta Light Horse as a Trooper on 9 September 1940. On 1 March 1941 he was transferred to the 14th Army Tank Battalion (”C” Company) - The Calgary Regiment. Shortly thereafter, on 3 March, he was charged with drunkenness. He was discharged at Camp Borden, Ontario on 22 April 1941, ‘Being unlikely to become an efficient soldier’. William Norman Shaw died at the Misericordia Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, on 22 December 1972. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers.