John was born in Cheslyn Hay, Staffs but in 1911 he was living in South Elmsall near Wakefield with his brother George Thomas and his sister in law and another brother Henry. John was a pony driver. 

John was married to Elsie Higg on 18th December 1915 at Outwood and his address was given as 4 Springfield View Wrenthorpe. His occupation was listed as Private in the KOYLI. 

James arrived in France on 13th April 1915 and according to the Wakefield Express was killed on the 19th February. 

"HIT BY A RIFLE GRENADE  The news has been received of the death in France of James Shaw of Springfield View Wrenthorpe, a private in the 1st/4th KOYLI whose wife and baby are at present living at 49 Rodney Yard Wakefield.

The widow has received a sympathetic letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Hargreaves, who states that Shaw was killed in action on February 19th, being killed instantly by an enemy rifle grenade. The commanding Officer adds 'your husband was a brave soldier and he will be greatly missed by his comrades in the company. He was buried last night in a small military cemetery just behind a ruined village a few hundred yards from the firing line.'

Shaw who was 22 years of age enlisted in October 1914 previous to which he worked at Newton Colliery"

Janet Wilsher