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Shaw, David MacKenzie

Service number:
44209
Nationality:
British

Biography

Promotions:
August 29th, 1929: 2nd Lieutenant
? Lieutenant
? Captain
? Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
July 1st, 1946: Major
April 10th, 1951: Lieutenant-Colonel
October 15th, 1957: Honorary Colonel/placed on retired pay

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Captain
Unit:
2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 13th Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:
December 20th, 1940
Citation:
"Throughout the period May 12th to 31st, Captain Shaw displayed exceptional courage, determination and power of leadership while commanding a company, and set a very fine example to those under him.
On May 23rd on R. Scarpe his company was holding a wide sector near Plouvain. During the night Captain Sharpe was heavily attacked, amd a part of his position was lost. He at onze led his very small available recerve, and unhesitatingly counter-attacked a much superior force. Several of his men were hit at once, but Captain Shaw and the handful of men now with him closed with the enemy, and inflicted sufficient losses with grenades and rifle fire to check the enemy's advance and restore the position. Though cut off for a considerable time Captain Shaw by skilful use of grenades, succeeded in breaking through the enemy, who had surrounded him, and rejoined his company.
His very gallant action enabled his company to carry out its task to the end."
Military Cross (MC)
Citation:
"1. At Argenta on 17 April 1945 when in command of his battalion with a sqn of tanks under comd, Lt.Col. Shaw's conduct of the battle was remarkable.
2. Although initially directed in a N.W. direction he appreciated that by a flanking movement to the S.W. he would be in a position to seal off any enemy still in the ARGENTA gap and to cover the main thrust of the DIV in a N.W. direction.
3. At the time Lt.Col. Shaw carried out his movement, a strong German counter-attack with tanks was being mounted against a very vulnerable part of the Div.
4. With complete disregard of personal safety, Lt.Col. Shaw personally established his bn on the bank N.W. of ARGENTA, and repulsed what was later known to be a divisional effort by the Germans to restore their ARGENTA position.
5. The magnificent fighting spirit which his bn displayed on this occasion and again when he led them to the CONDOTTO MOTTE was very largely due to the inspiring leadership and courage dsplayed by Lt.Col. Shaw."

Awarded as an immediate DSO.
Rank:
Major
Awarded on:
December 13th, 1949
For service in Malaya.
Mentioned in Dispatches

Sources

  • - The London Gazette Issue 33530 published on the 30 August 1929
    - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35020 published on the 20 December 1940
    - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37310 published on the 16 October 1945
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37635 published on the 28 June 1946
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38782 published on the 13 December 1949
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 39197 published on the 6 April 1951
    - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 41211 published on the 25 October 1957
    - The Royal Leicester Regiment

Photo