Private William Shaw
11512 1st Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Died of Wounds 12th September 1916, aged 36
Lived at 61 Finsley Gate
Buried in Epsom Cemetery, UK
Commemorated on Epsom Cemetery War Memorial
Burnley Express 20th October 1916

The CWGC plot in Epsom cemetery hold the remains of 148 mem, most of whom died in one of Epsom's hospitals. British men were, in most cases, buried 9 deep. Below you can see who was buried in plot 646, which includes William Shaw. The graves were dug 22 feet deep to accommodate 9 men.
All that marks the graves of the 9 men is a small stone (picture attached) with the number '646'. The other picture shows the 'Screen wall' where all the names are recorded.
Grave Number 646
11/09/16 Attwood J Pte: 12/09/16 Blew WH LCpl: 12/09/16 Shaw W Pte: 01/10/16 Davidson W Pte: 09/10/16 Duggan R Pte: 07/11/16 Hagarth E Pte: 04/12/16 Shimmin F Spr: 06/12/16 Carrigan M Pte: 15/12/16 Mack WBH Pte.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission records show that William Shaw was the 'Son of Richard and Mary Shaw; husband of Catherine Shaw, of 59, Finsley Gate, Burnley. Born at Spennymoor, Co. Durham'.

William's GRO death entry (Sep 1916 Epsom (36) 2a 53) gives his age at death as 36, giving him a birth year of around 1880. There is a GRO birth entry for a William Shaw (Jun 1881 Auckland 10a 234).

I have not been able to find William or his parents in either the 1881, 1891 or the 1901 census.

William married Catherine Burns in 1909, registered in the September quarter, in the Burnley registration district. Information from the 1901 census shows that Catherine, known as Kate or Katie, was an unmarried mother of two children, John aged 4 and Frances, also known as Fanny, aged 1.

In 1911 William, aged 28 and Catherine, aged 30, were living at 3 Canal Terrace, off Healy Wood Road, Burnley. Also living there was 11 year old Frances Burns, listed as William's daughter. William's occupation was recorded as 'Shoemaker' working for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, and Catherine worked as a 'Spinner' in the cotton industry.

William's 19 year old stepson John enlisted into the Special reserve on 14 June 1915. His birthday was recorded as being 26 May 1897 and his mother, Catherine Burns of 24 Exmouth Street, Burnley, was recorded as his next-of-kin. He worked as a van driver.

As William's service record has not survived we know very little about his army service. He was born and enlisted in Nelson, Lancashire and lived in Burnley. Although the Soldiers Died CD states that he died of wounds in 'France and Flanders', in fact he died at Horton War Hospital, Epsom on 12 September 1916 and was buried in Epsom Cemetery on 14 September in grave K646. He shares the grave with eight other soldiers and he is commemorated there on the screen wall.

His battalion, the 1st Loyal North Lancs was in the 1st Division and fought in the Battle of the Somme, so perhaps William was wounded on the Somme?

The 'Soldiers Effects' records show that his widow Catherine received the sum of £8 10s.

William was awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal.

William is also commemorated on the Epsom War Memorial.

Giving his sister Fanny as his next-of-kin, William's stepson John, who had been working as a stud groom, re-enlisted for one year into the Royal Veterinary Army Corps on 22 Novembe r1919 and when he was discharged on 21 November 1921 he gave his address as 59 Finsley Gate, Burnley.

(above courtesy of Clive Gilbert)