posted on 2024-01-16, 15:02authored byLest We Forget Project Team
June's grandfather came from Mold, North Wales, and in civilian life was a stonemason who worked on Chester Cathedral. He was a pacifist who was unwilling to fulfil a military role which might have involved killing, so he served as a stretcher bearer in the Cheshire Regiment. He was 23 years old when he enlisted and June's grandmother was 29 years old when they married.
During his wartime service he had two regimental numbers. It is unclear whether this was because he transferred between units or whether it was the result of renumbering (there was an extensive renumbering of the Territorial Battalions). It is possible he served in the Yeomanry (unit unknown) and he may have been "in Palestine".
History
Name of contributor(s)
June Dadswell
Subject of the story/individual the object(s) relate to
Stephen Shaw served as a stretcher bearer in Cheshire Regiment as a pacifist.
Date(s) the event(s) in the story took place
1914 - 1918
Location(s) where the event(s) in the story took place
Probably France/Flanders and possibly Palestine
Object(s)
Birth Certificate
3 Photographs
Cheshire Regimental Certificate
Copy of form (provenance unknown) showing two service numbers and manuscript notes made by Stephen's brother.