Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Acting Bombardier J. Shaw, Royal Horse Artillery, late Royal Field Artillery

1914 Star (51717 Gnr: J. Shaw. R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals (51717 Gnr. J. Shaw. R.A.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (51717 A.Bdr. J. Shaw. R.A.) the last officially re-impressed, mounted court-style for wear, good very fine and better (4) £100-£140

John Shaw was born in 1889 and enlisted for the Royal Artillery at Stratford on 8 August 1908. He served in France from 27 September 1914 with “N” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, and likely witnessed extensive action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle from 10-13 March 1915. Initially successful in destroying the German wire, the engagement proved that trench defences could be breached with careful preparation and disguise, but any significant advance was impossible owing to the shell crisis of 1915. Transferred to the Royal Field Artillery as Acting Bombardier, Shaw was transferred to Section B Army Reserve on 24 December 1919, his character noted as ‘honest, sober, intelligent, good’. He later served on the North West Frontier of India with “M” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery and was discharged in 1922.

Sold with three original Certificates of transfer and demobilisation, Third Class Certificate of Education and correspondence from the War Office confirming entitlement to IGSM and clasp, recording the recipient’s address in 1924 as 47 Shelley Avenue, Manor Park, London.