Major George Duncan Shaw

Service number W34185, WX33412
Ranks Held Captain, Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant, Major
Birth Date 1894-02-17
Birth Place Australia: Victoria, Melbourne, Brunswick
Death Date 1984-08-16
Final Rank Major
Service Australian Imperial Force
Units
  • 2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion
  • 2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion
  • 2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion
Place Brunswick
Conflicts/Operations
  • First World War, 1914-1918
  • Second World War, 1939-1945
  • Second World War, 1939-1945
Gazettes Published in London Gazette in 1917-06-01
Published in London Gazette in 1918-03-18
Published in London Gazette in 1917-10-27
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1918-07-25
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1918-02-14
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1917-10-04
Description

George Duncan Shaw was born in Melbourne during 1894. Prior to the First World War he was a mechanical engineer and gained military experience through his engagement with the Citizen Military Forces, as a lance sergeant in the 86th Battalion. In 1914 Shaw attempted to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force, but could not gain the consent of his parents, forcing him to wait until he was 21. On 10 May 1915 Shaw joined the 28th Infantry Battalion as a second lieutenant, training at Blackboy Camp until departing Fremantle aboard the HMAT Ascanius on 29 June 1915.

At Gallipoli, Shaw was involved in the evacuation in December, remaining behind with a number of men at Russell's Top to support the retreat. After a short period in Egypt, Shaw was transferred to 2nd Pioneer Battalion in France and by the end of 1916 was promoted to captain. Shaw was Mentioned-in-Despatches by Sir Douglas Haig on 9 April 1917 and was gassed at the battle of Bullecourt in May 1917. On 20 September 1917 Captain Shaw took charge of a party proceeding with road works around Ypres, the party came under intense shelling and suffered a number of casualties. Shaw evacuated the wounded before motivating the remaining members of the party to complete the road works. For this action Shaw was awarded the Military Cross.

In mid-1918 Shaw was wounded and eventually invalided to Wandsworth Hospital, returning to Australia in December of that year. After the war George Shaw returned to 86th Battalion and then enlisted in the Second World War.

Rolls

  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
    London Gazette
    01 June 1917 on page 5423 at position 77
    Commonwealth Gazette
    04 October 1917 on page 2625 at position 30
  • First World War Nominal Roll:

    Unit
    2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain
    London Gazette
    18 March 1918 on page 3439 at position 1
    Commonwealth Gazette
    25 July 1918 on page 1597 at position 6
  • First World War Embarkation Roll:

    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Second Lieutenant
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Unit
    2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion
    Conflict
    First World War, 1914-1918
    Rank
    Captain

Timeline

Date of birth 17 February 1894
Date of enlistment 10 May 1915
Date of embarkation 29 June 1915
Date of recommendation honour or award 25 September 1917
Date of recommendation honour or award 26 September 1917
Date returned to Australia 18 December 1918
Date of death 16 August 1984