Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Lt. E. W. Shaw, 27th Madras N,I.) very fine £400-£500

Edward William Shaw was born on 24 July 1837, son of David Shaw, Writer and Clerk of the Peace, Ayr. He was educated by Richard C. Gardiner, M.A., Ayr and Glasgow College. He was gazetted Ensign, 27th Madras Native Infantry, 12 December 1856; Lieutenant, 7 June 1857; Captain, 12 December 1868; Major, 12 December 1876; Lieutenant-Colonel, 12 December 1882; Colonel, 26 April 1883.

Lieutenant Shaw was employed in the suppression of the Mutiny in India 1857-58-59. Present a Bunnee with the force forming the rear guard of the Commander-in-Chief’s Army during the capture of Lucknow. Was present at the affair of Daibaiah on 23rd July 1858, was present and commanded a detachment of the Regiment at Hurryanon on 29th August 1858, also at Doomergunge on 26th November 1858, under Brigadier Rowcroft, also Burrelea on 3rd December 1858. Present at the battle of Tooleapore, 25th December 1858. British Consular Agent, Karikal, 1 December 1878.

Mentioned in Brigadier Francis Rowcroft’s despatch for attack on a body of rebels in the fortified village of Debreheeah, 23 July 1858: ‘Lieutenant Shaw attached to the infantry part of the force, rendered me every assistance and I have already mentioned the gallantry of all ranks under him, most of them just off an 18 mile march.’

Colonel Shaw died at Lansdowne Road, Bournemouth, on 12 December 1924. Sold with research including extracts from the book Further Indiscretions which gives mention of Shaw’s visit to Cawnpore shortly after the massacre and what he witnessed there.