Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Colonel

Army Number : 44209

Unit : RHQ R Leicesters

Biography :

Commissioned into The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (RIF), David Shaw was awarded the M.C. for his actions as a Company Commander in 2nd RIF, BEF, Plouvain, Pas-de-Calais, France, 12-31 May 1940. Commanded No 5 (Army) Commando in 3rd Special Service Brigade from Jun 1943 to Sep 1944. Leaving UK in Nov 1943, the Brigade trained near Poona in India before its first operation in the Arakan region of Burma in Mar 1944 (Operation Screwdriver). Then in April, the Japanese crossed the northern border with India, and Nos 5 and 44 Commandos were despatched by train to patrol and stop any Japanese advance along the several tracks leading from the area of Imphal. By July, after much uneventful patrolling, the danger had passed. David Shaw returned to Europe in Sep 1944. He was later awarded the D.S.O. for his actions as CO 2nd RIF, Argenta, Italy, 17 Apr 1945 (L.G. 18 Oct 1945, and an MID on 13.12.1949 for service in Malaya. Retired 15.10.1957, and became an RO in the Army Recruiting Organisation. Later served RHQ R Leicesters 1960-61 as Regimental Recruiting Officer.

Period of Service : 1930s-1957

Conflicts : WWII, Malayan Emergency

Places Served : France, India, Burma, Italy, Malaya