Edward Alfred Shaw was born on 16 May 1892 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, the eldest of the ten children of the Reverend Edward Domett Shaw (1860-1937) and Agnes Shaw née Gilbey (1867-1944). His father would later become the Right Reverend Edward Domett Shaw, The Bishop of Buckinghamshire. His birth was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1892 in the Bishop's Stortford registration district, and on 1 June 1892 he was baptised in St Michael's Church, Bishop's Stortford.
He was shown as aged 8 years in the 1901 census, living in 'The Vicarage', Castle Street, High Wycombe, with his parents, five siblings: Arthur Gilbey Shaw (1895-1915); Bernard Henry Gilbert Shaw (1893-1914); Agnes Mary Shaw (1896-1995); Vera Elizabeth Shaw (1898-1996) and Robert John Shaw (1900-1995), together with a cook, a parlour maid and two nurses. His father was described as a clergyman in the Church of England.
He was educated at Marlborough College as a Foundation Scholar between January 1906 and Midsummer 1911. He was shown on the 1911 census as aged 18 years and one of the college's 370 students, together with his two younger brothers: Arthur Gilbey Shaw and Bernard Henry Gilbert Shaw. His family were recorded as residing in an eleven roomed property in Reynolds Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire and his father described himself as an Archdeacon (Church of England). Whilst at Marlborough College he created a record for playing in their cricket XI for 5 years, being captain for 3 years. He was also in their hockey XI for 3 years and represented the college in racquets. He also played in their rugby XI but did not get his colours. He was a prefect and won their solo singing prize.
On leaving Marlborough College he went up to Brasenose College at Oxford University where he played cricket for the University from 1912 to 1914.
The London Gazette dated 18 September 1914 confirms that he gained a commission as a Temporary Second Lieutenant on 17 September 1914. He served in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and was promoted to Lieutenant in February 1915 and to Captain in October 1915. He entered in France in July 1915 and was serving in his regiment's 6th (Service) Battalion when he was killed, aged 24 years, on 7 October 1916 whilst leading his company in action in the Somme, France. As he has no known grave he is commemorated on Pier and Face 10 A and 10 D of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Rue de l'Ancre, 80300 Thiepval, France.
Probate records confirm that his address had been Reynolds Road, Beaconsfield and that when administration of his estate was granted to his father on 25 June 1917 his estate totalled £283-16s-7d. His army effects totalling £146-16s-4d were sent to his father on 10 August 1917. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal. These were sent to his father at Christ Church, Oxford, Oxfordshire
He is shown as 'SHAW. E.A. CAPT. 6TH.BATT. LT.INFANTRY.' on the Quebec Chapel war memorial at the Church of The Annunciation, Bryanston Street, London, W1H 7AH. He is also commemorated on the Beaconsfield War Memorial, outside St Mary and All Saints Church, Windsor End, Beaconsfield, on the The Shaw Window in All Saints Church, Castle Street, High Wycombe, HP13 6RF, on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website, on the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War website, and on the Marlborough College Roll of Honour.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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