Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Private William Shaw, Seaforth Highlanders

Afghanistan 1878-80, 3 clasps, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (58B/1019 Pte., 72nd Highrs.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (58B/1019 Private, 72nd Highlanders); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-el-Kebir (313 Pte., 1/Sea. Highrs.); Khedive’s Star 1882, reverse inscribed, ‘No. 313 Pte. W. Shaw, 1st S.H.’, edge bruising and pitting, good fine and better (4) £750-850

William Shaw was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire. He attested for the 72nd Highlanders at Greenock on 16 August 1877, aged 18 years. With the Regiment he was posted to India in October 1878. There he served in the Afghanistan Campaign, taking part in the night attack and rear-guard action at Zahidabad, 1 October 1879, the 72nd Regiment forming part of the Kabul Field Force under General Roberts. Next followed the battle of Charasia, 6 October 1879, and the pursuit of the enemy and final occupation of Kabul on 8 October. In December the Regiment took part in operations in and around Kabul, including the Defence of Deh Mazung Gorge, 11 December, the Assault and Capture of the Asmai Heights, 14 December and the Defence of the Sherpur Cantonments, 23 December. The following year, the Regiment as part of the Kabul-Kandahar Field Force took part in the famous march from Kabul to Kandahar and fought at the battle of Kandahar, 1 September 1880. Shaw’s next military service with the Seaforth Highlanders was in Egypt. The Regiment fought at the engagement at Chalouf, 20 August, and on 13 September took part in the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir. On the termination of his limited service engagement, Shaw was discharged on 15 August 1889 and was discharged from the Reserve on 15 August 1893.

With the onset of the Great War, Shaw joined up once again, this time with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. With them, he was employed at ‘Home’ guarding the ammunition works at Georgetown (Bishopton). With copied research and photograph of the recipient in his Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ uniform wearing his four medals.