Pete Shaw was very interested in his family's history and spent time researching and documenting it. This page brings together what he gathered — the Shaw family roots, his father Bob's remarkable wartime service, and the family life that followed.
🌳 The Shaw Family Roots
The Shaw family line traces back to Pete's great-grandparents in the Victorian era.
Mary Jane Hirst Shaw (née Pearson)
Bob Shaw's grandmother, 1844–1920
Herbert Shaw
Bob's father, photographed before 1921
Herbert & Margaret's wedding — 18th September 1912, St John's Church, Huddersfield
The Shaw family moved to Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire. Pete documented this chapter of the family's story — read more (PDF).
⚔️ Bob's War — 1939 to 1945
Pete's father, George Robert Shaw ("Bob"), served throughout the Second World War. Pete spent years piecing together Bob's story from documents, photographs, and conversation — though Bob was typically reluctant to talk about the details.
Pete's nearly-complete account of Bob Shaw's wartime service
Suffolk Regiment & the Commandos
Bob was drafted in December 1939. Asked what he wanted to join, he pointed to his flying lessons in the Civil Air Guard — he was due to go solo the very day all civilian flying was banned — and asked to join the RAF. The British Army had other ideas. "RAF? Everyone asks for that. No chance." They put him in the Infantry, Suffolk Regiment.
He was promoted Lance Corporal within five weeks, then full Corporal. He lost a stripe to a "misdemeanour" he refused to describe, despite Pete asking more than once.
Spotting a notice asking for volunteers for "Special Service" as a Glider Pilot, Bob saw a possible back door to the RAF. The Suffolks' CO approved his transfer — Bob suspected it was because he'd had Shaw up on a charge just weeks before.
The busload of would-be pilots was wrongly delivered to No. 1 Special Service Battalion (later No. 1 Commando) training base. Bob decided to stay — he'd found his own brother Bill there, who had originally joined the Royal Artillery. Fate, or what?
Corporal Shaw
Suffolk Regiment, 1940, age 21
Private Shaw
No. 1 Commando
To join the Army Commandos on 15 December 1940, Bob had to accept cancellation of his Lance Corporal's stripe and start as a Private again. He earned at least one back — and was busted down again by a Captain Henderson, reason unknown. When Bob applied for a vacant Lance Corporal's post he was told: "I may be short of Lance Corporals in this Company, Shaw, but not so hard up as to consider YOU." That same Captain gave him a stripe in July 1941, to allow him onto a Glencoe rock-climbing course.
Sgt Shaw
Commando green beret, probably at Officer Training School
Lieutenant Shaw
Africa Star ribbon visible. Moved from No. 1 Commando to No. 4
Ernest David Shaw
Bob's youngest brother — served in UK & Italy, later joined the US military
The landings in Tunisia came on 8 November 1942. Bob and his unit landed disguised as Americans, as the British weren't popular with the French after the sinking of the French fleet. Bob was promoted to Sergeant while in Tunisia.
Sgt Shaw & Sgt Shaw — May 1943. Brother Bill and Bob on leave from No. 1 Commando, in the garden of 28 Huntly Grove, Peterborough. Both Sergeants.
After being promoted from the ranks, the Army typically moved officers to a new unit. Bob transferred from No. 1 Commando to No. 4, and from the Suffolks to the Northamptonshire Regiment. Each Commando retained his own regiment's badge on the famous green beret.
💍 Bob & Rocky
Rocky & Bob
At 28 Huntly Grove, Peterborough, 1939 — probably just engaged
Bob & Rocky's wedding — 20th December 1941. Bob in his Sergeant's uniform, flanked by family. L–r: Charles Herbert Shaw "Bill", Ernest David Shaw "David", George Robert Shaw "Bob", Marjorie Ethel Prince "Rocky", H. Prince, G. Prince
Rocky & Bob
Tenerife, 1990s
58th Wedding Anniversary
18th December 1999. Rocky passed away 12th May 2000
👨👩👧👦 The Shaw Family
Peter Robin Shaw — November 1953, aged 5½
The complete Shaw family, 1955 — photographed professionally in Bob & Rocky's garden at 144 Broadway, Peterborough.
Back row, l–r: Charles Herbert Shaw "Bill" (emigrated to Ontario, Canada); John Frederick Shaw; George Robert Shaw "Bob" (Pete's father); Dorothy Elizabeth Shaw "Betty"; Thomas Arthur Shaw "Tom"; Grace Beryl Pettit (Rocky's sister); Sydney Pettit "Sid"; Jean Mercey (Betty's husband); Ernest David Shaw "David/Ernie" (emigrated to the USA); Eric Moore (married to Peggy).
Middle row, l–r: Marjorie Ethel Shaw "Rocky" (Bob's wife, Pete's mother); Sarah Ann Shaw (John's wife); Margaret Alice Shaw; Audrey Patricia Shaw (Tom's wife); Maud Prince (Rocky's mother); Margaret Mary Shaw "Peggy".
Front row, l–r: Julie Pettit; Charles Jean Mercey; John Malcolm Shaw; Peter Robin Shaw (Pete); Richard Moore; David John Anthony Shaw (emigrated to Australia); Kathleen Moore; Robert Thomas Shaw; Margaret Christine Shaw.
Pete's family — 20th January 1968. L–r: John, Pete, Marti's first husband, Marti, David, Rocky, Bob
Three generations — Pete, Bob and Alex Shaw at the Peterborough Mountaineering Club cottage, October 1992
Rocky in Tenerife
Rocky with great-grandson Jed
Pete, Quayle, Marti, John and Amanda at the celebration of Bob's life, 2001