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Bob, drafted in Dec 1939, was asked what he wanted to join. He pointed to his flying lessons in the Civil Air Guard (just about to go solo when the war started and all lessons cancelled) and asked to join the RAF. Good old British Army. RAF? No chance. They drafted him into the Infantry (Suffolk Regiment). Promoted Lance Corporal within 5 weeks and then full Corporal. Lost a stripe due to "misdemeanour" (he never said what, despite me asking). He saw a notice asking for volunteers for "Special Service" as a Glider Pilot and thought that might be a back door route into the RAF. The Suffolk's CO approved his application, Bob said probably because he'd had Shaw up in front of him on a charge weeks earlier, when he lost a stripe, and saw a good chance to get rid of him onto someone else. The busload of would-be pilots were wrongly delivered to No 1 Special Service Battalion (became No 1 Commando) training base, and Bob decided to stay after finding his OWN brother Bill (who had originally joined the Royal Artillery) in the same Company - fate, or what?
right: Corporal Shaw of the Suffolk Regiment in 1940, age 21.
To join the Commandos, 15 Dec 1940, Bob had to accept cancellation of his remaining Lance Corporal's stripe and start as a Private again. He earned at least one back and got busted down again by a Captain Henderson - reason unknown again (Bob wouldn't say). Bob later applied for a vacant Lance Corporal's post to be told "I may be short of Lance Corporals in this Company, Shaw, but not so hard up as to consider YOU". But the same Captain gave him a stripe in July 1941 so as to allow him onto a Glencoe rockclimbing course.
left: "You're next Private Shaw, outside with that tommy gun and git your photo took - on the double." Bob looking sharp during Commando street fighting training, at Dreghorn, near Irvine, Ayrshire, Summer 1941, age 22.
right: May 1943 brother Bill and Bob on leave from No 1 Commando in the garden of 28 Huntly Grove, Peterborough, both Sergeants, (Bob promoted whilst in Tunisia) Bob in casual dress, Rocky (see shadow) taking the picture. They were first to land in Tunisia, disguised as Americans, as the British weren't flavour of the month with the French after sinking their fleet. The landings were on 8 Nov 1942
left: Rocky & Bob at the back of 28 Huntly Grove, Peterborough in 1939, we think
right: Bob in ordinary battledress blouse with Commando green beret. This picture probably taken whilst he was at Officer Training School.
left: unknown date - Dad as a 1st Lieutenant. Lt. Col Pugh says that after being promoted from the ranks, the Army nearly always made you change unit. Bob moved from his beloved No 1 Commando to No 4. He also moved from his underlying Regiment (the Suffolks) to the Northamptonshire Regiment, probably because the Suffolks did not have a vacancy on their strength for another Lieutenant. To give the Army Commandos less administration, every Commando remained a detached member of his previous Regiment, who were responsible for his pay. Each man wore his own underlying Regiment's badge on their famous Commando green beret. Bob's medal indication (I don't know the Army word) in this photo is the Africa Star.
right: l-r Bob, Rocky's sister Grace, unknown ex-Commando (from North Wales) Rocky, Sid (Grace's husband) at Butlin's Holiday Camp, Skegness, summer 1951