PVT Frederick Charles Shaw

PVT Frederick Charles Shaw was born 2 Sep 1910 in Adams, Massachusetts the 6th of the 12 children born to Joseph Ashbrook and Annie (Cromblehome) Shaw. His mother had been born in Blackburn, England. His father supported the family by working as a spinner in a cotton mill for several decades. Unfortunately, 2 of Joseph and Annie's daughters died before Frederick was born. Frederick became a baker and went to work for Hammond Baking Company for several years and then became an assistant to his brother who operated a cafeteria for the Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates. He married Laura May Norman in 1934. The couple would soon have 2 children sharing their home at 79 Commercial Street in North Adams, Massachusetts.

Frederick was drafted in December 1943. He trained at Camp Croft, South Carolina and Camp Shelby, Mississippi before training at Fort Meade, Maryland. PVT Shaw was then sent to the European theater in August 1944 and transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 11 Aug 1944. He fought with the unit in the campaign to liberate Brest and was killed in action on 15 Sep 1944.

PVT Shaw rests forever in the Brittany American Cemetery.

Brother, Nelson Raymond Shaw, served in the U.S. Army infantry 1942-1945 including service in Italy. Lawrence Shaw served in the U.S. Army airborne infantry in New Guinea.