Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Sydney Richard Shaw was born on 3 July 1892 at Waimate, the seventh son and tenth of the fourteen children of James Henry and Maria (née Mitchell) Shaw. James’ parents came to New Zealand from Scotland in 1864, bringing with them four sons (James the eldest) and a daughter. Stanley started his schooling at Fairlie, transferring in February 1906 to Greenfield School near Waitahuna in South Otago, when the family moved there. In 1902, while at Fairlie, Sidney received an attendance prize.

He was a labourer, working at home for his father at Ngawira, Waitahuna, when he enlisted, naming his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs Maria Shaw, Ngawira, Rural Delivery, Waitahuna. Lance Corporal S. R. Shaw embarked with the Otago Infantry Regiment of the 26thy Reinforcements on 9 June 1916.

S. R. Shaw, 49203, returned home by the “Maunganui”, the draft of 1120 arriving on 23 June 1919. Back home, Sydney Richard Shaw, solder, was initially with two sisters in Dunedin before reuming to his farm labouring work at Greenfield. From 1928 his name was no longer recorded on the electoral rolls.He died on 16 May 1963 at Dunedin, a 70 year old labourer from Cherry Farm Hospital. His next-of-kin at death was his brother, Mr S. S. Shaw, Dunedin. He was buried at Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, a services plaque marking his grave. Sydney’s father who had died in 1928 and his mother in 1938, were buried in the Waitahuna Cemetery.

Sydney’s brothers, William James Henry Mitchell Shaw, Stuart Samuel Shaw and StanleyRichard Shaw, all served with the New Zealand forces, while Oliver John Shaw served with the Australian forces. Several cousins also served, one of them being killed in action - William Murray Shaw, Cecil John Shaw (with the Australian forces) and John Edward Shaw, all from South Canterbury, James Albert Gordon Shaw and Robert Cyril Shaw (killed in action in 1918), both from Taieri, Otago, and Robert Hyslop and George Dunn Hyslop, both from Milton; in addition, Herbert George Shaw enlisted in New Zealand. Stanley R. Shaw and his four brothers who served are remembered on the Greenfield War Memorial as Returned.

“At the intersection of the roads in the very heart of Greenfield, with the tall pines softly bowing their venerable heads and forming an august and sheltering rampart, lies a portion of ground dedicated by the patriotic hearts of the Greenfield residents to the memory of those who left the district in response to their country’s call in her time of need. As the days pass and the years come and go, and age waxes old with those who stood around on that day of dedication the lofty marble pedestal will still continue to stir the hearts of passers-by with feelings of pride at the names thereon enrolled, of gratitude for those who returned, of reverence for those who fell, and of mingled joy and pride at the glory they achieved and the peace they helped to win.” [Clutha Leader. 6 January 1920.] The soldiers’ memorial at Greenfield was unveiled in early January 1920. The hymn “Now Thank We, O Our God,” was sung, prayer was offered, and “The Last Post” was sounded. On the front is a scroll with the inscription, “War 1914/1919 Peace,” and below are the names of the nine fallen. Beneath are the words: “This monument has been erected by the residents of Greenfield in grateful recognition of those who served their King and country in the Great War.” On either side are the names of the men who returned, among the twenty-five names those of the five Shaw brothers - Stewart Shaw, Oliver Shaw, W. J. H. Shaw, Sydney Shaw, and Stanley R. Shaw.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [24 February 2021]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [24 February 2021]; Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, headstone image & burial record (Dunedin City Council) [25 February 2021]; Waitahuna Cemetery records [25 February 2021]; School Admission record (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [24 February 2021]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [25 & 28 February 2021]; NZ Times, 14 June 1919, Clutha Leader, 6 January 1920 (Papers Past) [28 February 2021; 01 March 2021]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.