Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An important Rhodesian group of six awarded to Major-General J. R. Shaw, Chief of Staff of the Rhodesian Army, late Royal Horse Guards and Metropolitan Police, who was tragically killed in a helicopter crash, 23 December 1975, whilst visiting his troops in the field for Christmas

Rhodesia, Defence Cross For Distinguished Service, unnamed copy; Rhodesia, General Service Medal (Lt. Col. J. R. Shaw); Rhodesia, Exemplary Service Medal, with Bar (Col. J. R. Shaw); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R., M.I.D. Oak Leaf (0075 Lt. J. R. Shaw. Rh. A. R.) mounted court-style for wear, first loosely secured to riband, generally very fine (6) £500-600

Defence Cross For Distinguished Service, 11 November 1975:

‘Major General Shaw attested into the Southern Rhodesia Staff Corps on 20 December 1949 and was commissioned in the rank of Lieutenant on 1 January 1951. He served with the 1st Battalion Rhodesian African Rifles from 1954 to 1958 and saw two years active service with the Regiment in Malaya for which he was Mentioned in Despatches. He was promoted Captain in 1956 and Major in 1959. During the period 1959 to 1966 he held Staff and Regimental appointments in the rank of Major, including that of Second in Command Rhodesian African Rifles. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel in 1966 and appointed Director of Army Plans. During this period he was responsible for the initial formulation of policy for inter-territorial co-operation.

In 1970 he was promoted Colonel and appointed Colonel General Staff at Army Headquarters until 1972 when he was promoted Brigadier commanding 3 Brigade. After seven months he was appointed Commander 1 Brigade in Bulawayo. During his tenure of office he was faced with numerous border incidents involving South African Police, civilians and Rhodesian Army personnel and a number of terrorist inspired incidents in North Matabeleland.

After a distinguished and highly successful tour of duty he was transferred in May 1974, to command 2 Brigade which was involved in Operation Hurricane in the north-east of Rhodesia. During the succeeding seven months he saw a number of highly successful operations, resulting in the elimination of many terrorists and culminating in a record monthly kill rate in November/December 1974, thus inflicting substantial losses on the terrorist organisation.

As the Commander of a force level well in excess of that normally allocated to a Brigade, he spared no time or effort in constantly visiting troops and urging them to greater efforts. In so doing his plans were well executed and his infectious good humour resulted in a high level of morale at all times. Throughout his distinguished career to date he has proved to be an extremely popular and highly regarded officer and has, through his loyalty, devotion to duty and command ability rendered invaluable service to the Army and to Rhodesia.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 23 May 1958.

John Ryan Shaw was born and educated in the United Kingdom. He served in the Royal Horse Guards, 1944-48, and with the Metropolitan Police, 1948-49. He travelled to Rhodesia and was commissioned into the Rhodesian Army. A synopsis of his career can be found in the citation above. Tragically he, as well as four other soldiers, were killed when their helicopter crashed 23 December 1975. Shaw was travelling to visit troops in the field at Christmas, when his Alouette 111 crashed into steel cables above a fruit farm between Cashel and Umtali 3 kilometres from the Mozambique border. A State Funeral was held at St Mary’s Anglican Cathedral, Salisbury, with thousands lining the streets to pay their respects.

1 of 7 M.I.D.’s awarded to the Rhodesian African Rifles for services in Malaya.

Sold with a number of newspaper cuttings (all laminated) relating to the death and funeral of the recipient.