George Shaw

1892 – 1917

Gunner. Service N° 80717

Died of wounds on 14 Aug 1917

Royal Garrison Artillery

The Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) was a cornerstone of the British Army’s heavy artillery during World War I, tasked with operating large-caliber guns and howitzers to deliver devastating bombardments on the Western Front and other theaters. Unlike the mobile Royal Horse Artillery, the RGA focused on static, high-power artillery, including siege batteries and coastal defenses, pounding German fortifications, trenches, and supply lines with weapons like the 60-pounder gun and massive 9.2-inch howitzers. Their role was pivotal in major offensives, such as the Somme and Vimy Ridge, where they provided creeping barrages and counter-battery fire, often coordinating with aerial observers to improve accuracy. Facing challenges like ammunition shortages early in the war and the need for precise targeting in trench warfare, the RGA adapted through technical innovations and sheer endurance, significantly shaping the battlefield and supporting the British Expeditionary Force’s attritional strategy.

Meet the Family

Mount Huon Military Cemetery

2 Rue Albert Edward Dixon, 76470 Le Tréport

British War Medal

The British War Medal was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or served overseas between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918, with eligibility later extended to services in Russia, Siberia, and other areas in 1919 and 1920..

Approximately 6.5 million were struck in silver, and 110,000 in bronze for certain labour corps (e.g., Chinese, Maltese, and Indian). The medal weighs about one ounce, and its silver composition sometimes led to it being pawned or melted down for scrap value during tough economic times post-war. It was nicknamed “Squeak” when paired with the Victory Medal (“Wilfred”) in the popular trio.

Victory Medal

The Victory Medal, also known as the Inter-Allied Victory Medal, was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star, and to most who received the British War Medal, for service in a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918..

It was extended to include mine clearance in the North Sea until 30 November 1919 and the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War until 1 July 1920. Approximately 5.7 million were issued across the British Empire. Each Allied nation designed its own version, but all shared a common ribbon and the winged Victory figure on the obverse. It was nicknamed “Wilfred” in the “Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred” trio.