James's Story.
This is the most probable person who matches the J Shaw on the memorial.James Shaw was born on 5th March 1882 to James and Mary Shaw.
In the 1891 census they had 8 children, James was the third youngest, the oldest was Thomas at 22.
Thomas 22
Elizabeth Ann 19
Eleanor 14
Emily 12
Joseph John 10
James 8
Mary Jane 8
Martha 4
In 1911 the family have moved to 4 Lyon Street, and James the father aged 68 is still working at Castner Kellner.
James moved away from Runcorn, marrying Ethel Muriel Reeves, born in Emscote, Warwickshire on 25th Novemeber 1886.
They were married on 26th December 1906, and in the 1911 census they are found living in the north east at 76 Park Road, Wallsend, Newcastle on Tyne.
They had three children, James aged 2, Ann Martha, 1 and 9 month old Nellie.
James joined the Royal Navy in 1914 and was a sergeant in the RMLI. This information was obtained from a report in the newspaper regarding his divorce.
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury Friday May 18th 1917
SOLDIER’S UNFAITHFUL WIFE. In the Divorce Court, Wednesday, Mr. Justice Hill had before him the undefended petition of Sergeant James Shaw, of the R.M.L.I.. living with his parents at Runcorn, for dissolution of his marriage with his wife, Mrs. Ethel Muriel Shaw, on the ground of her adultery with the co-respondent Sergeant F. Neale, of the Warwick Regiment. Petitioner stated that he married his wife on December 26, 1906. In October. 1914. petitioner enlisted, on March 1st, 1915, witness left for Gallipoli, and did not return to this country till December 4th, 1915 when he was admitted to the Haslar Hospital. In April wife-'was confined of a child, which the co-respondent was father. His wife received the Army allowance and also sum from employers. Evidence having been given in support of petitioner case, his Lordship granted him a decree nisi with costs and the custody the children of the marriage.
In another report from a midlands paper.
SEQUEL TO A WARWICK WEDDING. Yesterday, in the Divorce Division, .Sergeant James Shaw, of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, obtained decree nisi end costs consequence of misconduct between his wife, Ethel Muriel, and the co-respondent, Sergeant F. Neale, of the Warwickshire Regiment. There was no defence. Petitioner said he was married on Boxing Day, 1906, Emscote, Warwick, where the wife’s people lived. Early in the war petitioner went abroad (leaving his wife in Warwick), returning in February, 1916. did not notice anything wrong with his wife, who joined him at his station in April 1916. It was not , until a letter addressed to her was sent on to him that learned that she had had a child, born in Coventry on March 24 1916, Both respondent and co respondent (who was stationed Warwick) admitted their misconduct.
His pension card states that he was reported missing near Arras, and that the monies should not be given to his "unworthy wife", but instead the guardian of his children who was Thomas Shaw, his older brother living at 2 Richardson St, Wallsend on Tyne.
His parents are buried in Runcorn, as are some of his siblings.
There is a J Shaw on the Castner Kellner Memorial, James may have worked there for a short period before enlisting.
We have searched all other records for J Shaw from Runcorn, and we can account for all of them. Either served and survived or too young /old to serve.
We are 99% confident this is the J Shaw on the memorial.
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth and Percy Dunbvand.