4913936 Private Harold SHAW, 2/6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment: 16/07/1944

CL1 · Jul 16, 2017

Remembering Today

Casualty Details | CWGC
SHAW, HAROLD
Rank: Private
Service No: 4913936
Regiment/Service: 2/6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Date of Death: 16/07/1944
Age: 31
Cemetery: FONTENAY-LE-PESNEL WAR CEMETERY, TESSEL
Grave Reference: II. A. 18.
Additional Information: Son of John and Anne Shaw; husband of Eunice Frances Shaw, of Caldmore, Walsall, Staffordshire.
Personal Inscription: GOD DREW HIM WITH HIS HAND OF GRACE AND SIDE BY SIDE THEY CLIMBED THE HEAVENLY WAYS

Pvt Harold Shaw ( - 1944) - Find A Grave Memorial

graeme · Jul 16, 2017

Hi

Harold was born in Walsall on Monday 1 September 1913, the son of John Thomas and Nancy (known as Annie) (née Wilkes) Shaw of 21, Dale End, Darlaston and later of 5, Eldon Street, Darlaston and 31, Alma Street, Darlaston, his father being an iron works labourer.

He was married to Eunice Frances Barker at Wednesbury in early 1937 and resided at 47, Halford Crescent, Walsall with her and their three children.

Prior to enlisting in the Army during 1939 Harold was employed at J. Garrington and Sons Limited, Darlaston.

His brother, (George) Richard Shaw, was killed in the Great War and is commemorated on the Darlaston War Memorial.

(Strangely, NOT commemorated on a local (Walsall) war memorial.)

Regards

Graeme

Owen · Jul 16, 2017

59th (Staffordshire) Division in WWII

At 'H' hr, 0530 hours on 16th July, the troops of Phase I crossed their start lines according to plan; 197 Brigade on the right attacking with 5 East Lancashire and 177 Brigade on the left with 1/6 South Staffordshire and 5 South Staffordshire. Our troops were fighting in the real bocage for the first time. 5 East Lancashire soon met heavy opposition, their commanding officer was wounded and it was not until about 0800 hours that they reached their first objective east of Vendes and captured part of it. Here they remained, unable to complete the job, until at 1430 hours a strong enemy counter-attack, supported by tanks, overran their right company and forced the remainder of the battalion back to their start line.

On the left, 1/6 South Staffordshire captured Brettevillette by 0645 hours with heavy casualties, finding the place lousy with well-laid anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; and by 0845 hours they were in Queudeville. Two-thirds of the tanks supporting 1/6 South Staffords had gone up on one of our own minefields, which our predecessors had promised, but failed, to lift; and many of our troops had lost direction in the thick dawn mist. 5 South Staffordshire captured the orchards west of Grainville sur Odon, and then Les Nouillons by midday, which meant that all 177 Brigade's first objectives had at last been taken. About 1330 hours the flails started to breach the large enemy minefield at Queudeville.

In view of the lack of progress on our right flank, the heavy loss of tanks in the two squadrons supporting Phase I, and of the evident strength of the enemy at Noyers, Phase II took some time to mount. But at 1730 hours 177 Brigade launched 2/6 South Staffordshire against Noyers and 45 minutes later 6 North Staffshire (under command of 177 Brigade) attacked Haut des Forges. By bitter fighting 2/6 South Staffordshire forced their way into the village, but were later obliged to withdraw to point 126, just north of the station. 6 North Staffordshire met with less opposition and captured and held their objective at Haut des Forges. During this day 177 Brigade captured 369 prisoners, all from 277 Division. On 197 Brigade front 2/5 Lancashire Fusiliers attacked at 2230 hours, directed on to the Phase I objective; but the enemy mortaring on this flank was particularly heavy and accurate, and they failed to make any material progress.
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barbarashawwatson · Jan 20, 2022

thank you this information is lovley tribute to my grandad harold who I never met and didnt know very much about

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4913936 Private Harold SHAW, 2/6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment: 16/07/1944

CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

graeme Senior Member

Owen -- --- -.. MOD

barbarashawwatson New Member

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4913936 Private Harold SHAW, 2/6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment: 16/07/1944

CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

graeme Senior Member

Owen -- --- -.. MOD

barbarashawwatson New Member

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