Military History

Shaw enlisted with the Artillery as a Gunner 6.3.1916 and transferred to the Tunnelling Coy 21.3.1916
Roll Rank 2nd Lieut.
Roll Unit Mining Corps No. 6 Tunnelling Company, 1st Reinf.
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Warilda’ A64 for UK 1.6.1916.
Sharp disembarked at Plymouth 17.7.1916. He reported for duty with Mining Corps 6th Tunnelling Coy, at the 2nd Australian Division Base Details in Etaples France 31.8.1916. The Mining Corps was rationalized and formed into 3 Tunnelling Coys. Shaw was transferred to the 3rd Tunnelling Coy. 25.9.1916. He was promoted to 2nd Lieut. then to Lieut. 20.2.1917. Shaw was detached to the Special Investigation Detachment who trained and carried out investigative work of enemy dugouts for mines and booby traps during the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) and the attack on Hill 70 at Loos. (Lieut. Taylor Thomas). He was recommended fo a Military Medal for his fearlessness  at Loos 15.8.1917 (AWM Awards and Honours)Shaw was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatches 15.8.1917 (Gazetted 1.1.1918). He was wounded in action with a minor GSW to his left elbow 24.10.1917. Shaw rejoined his Coy. in Field 18.11.1917.  Shaw was mentioned in Despatches 18.4.1918. Shaw was awarded Military Cross 17.1.1919 for his work between Auchy and Sheldt in October 1918. Shaw was granted leave from 31.3.1919-30.6.1919 for study at Imperial College of Science and Technology London. Shaw returned to Australia.
Embarked for Australia with wife per HMT ‘Katoomba’ 8.8.1919.
Returned/Disembarked 15.9.1919 with wife.
Discharged/Appointment Terminated 30.10.1919.
Final Rank Lieut. 3rd Tunnelling Coy.
Medical Condition Recorded as OK.
Awards and Medals Military Cross, Mentioned in Dispatches, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Military Cross citation
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the advance from Auchy to the Sheldt in October 1918. He was with the advance party removing mines and traps in front of the advance party. Owing to gas shelling he had on two occasions to work for hours in his gas mask. Although many of his men were wounded by snipers and shell fire, he carried on with his task and personally rendered harmless many land mines.
(London Gazette 2.4.1918)
Photos  C. Campbell Shaw.Portrai.t 3rd Tunnellers in France Western Mail 27.7.1917 p 23
            C. Campbell Shaw, Front row Right. 3rd Tunnellers in France. Western Mail 27.7.1917 p 23
               HMAT 'Warilda' after 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A02847
               3rd Tunnellers in Hythe Alley, Hill 70, near Loos  1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01712
                Wounded Lieut. C.C. Shaw. Kalgoorlie Miner 6.11.1917. p4

Information Source
AWM A02847. HMAT 'Warilda' after 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01712. 3rd Tunnellers in Hythe Alley, Hill 70, near Loos  1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Kalgoorlie Miner
Lieut. Taylor Thomas: www.tunnellers.net/profiles___photos/taylor_thomas_lt.doc
NAA: B2455, Shaw Colin Campbell
Western Mail

37 Lewis Street, Kalgoorlie, WA.

Associated Images