Shaw, Andrew McFarlane 3390 (1886 - 1916)

Lance Corporal, "B" Coy. 1st/8th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Buried at Maroeuil British Cemetery

Commemorated at Scottish National War Memorial

Andrew was born on the 21st March 1892 in the Gorbals District of Glasgow, son of Donald & Helen Shaw. He was the third of six children having two elder sisters Margaret & Catherine, an elder brother Donald, two younger sisters Helen and Jane and a younger brother Angus.

He moved to the West End of the city around 1901 and worked as a Laboratory boy then Pathology Attendant at Glasgow University from 1906.

Andrew enlisted on the 12th August 1915 in 3/8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and was appointed Lance Corporal on the 13th November 1915.

His draft to France came on the 24th January 1916, where he reverted to Private.

He was again appointed Lance Corporal on the 8th March 1916. A few months later, on the 2nd July 1916, Andrew was killed in action whilst his Platoon were in the line at Vimy Ridge.

Extracts from 152nd Infantry Brigade War Diary:

Report of Operations in 'LEFT 2' Night of 1st/2nd July

At 12.35am an intense Artillery fire opened on enemy lines in the Sector on our Left. Retaliation at once commenced and continued till about 1.15am. During this bombardment the front held by Right Company and Right Centre Company of 1/8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders was heavily shelled, the remainder of the front line - 8th Argylls - not so heavily, but CAVALIER and LASALLE trenches were shelled and also QUARRIES.

Our Artillery opened in reply about 12.45am and fired till about 1.15AM when bombardment ceased. During this bombardment the telephone lines to two Left Companies of 1/8th Arg & Suth'd Highr's were cut, but were repaired as soon as bombardment ceased. At about 2 A.M. the Right Centre and Right Companies - 8th Argyll's - were again heavily shelled and also QUARRIES and CROSS Street. Our Artillery were called upon to open and did so at once

At about 2.25 A.M. a shock as of a mine explosion was felt. Telephone communications was again cut at this time and the news was sent verbally by runner. The crater could not be seen in the dark.

About 2.40 A.M. the bombardment ceased, and our guns were told to stop. The Casualties during both bombardments in the 8th Argyll's were 7 killed, 12 wounded. All casualties were a result of shell fire.

Andrew is buried in Mareouil British Cemetery, which is in the village of Maroeuil, 6km northwest of Arras in the Pas-de-Calais Department of France.

The 51st Highland Division began the cemetery when Commonwealth forces took over the Arras front in March 1916 from French forces. There was a Tramway, which ran between the front line and Maroeuil, and this was sometimes used to bring back casualties to the cemetery as it was protected from enemy observation by the crest of the hill behind it.

Andrew is buried in Plot II J 11 where he lies alongside his six comrades (all are buried in line, Plot II J8 to J13) from the 1/8th Battalion A&SH who were killed during the same bombardment in the early hours of the 2nd July 1916, they lie with over 200 others of the 51st Highland Division.

The Gaelic inscription on the 51st Highland Division Memorial at Beaumont Hamel is 'La a'Bhlair s'math na Cairdean' ('Friends are Good on the Day of Battle').

Reproduced from the Scots at War Trust Roll of Honour: scotsatwar.co.uk