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260130
Flt.Sgt. Robert James Abadore Shaw
Royal Canadian Air Force No. 405 Squadron
from:Orillia, Ontario
(d.15th Dec 1942)
Robert Shaw was my first cousin, once removed.
According to RCAF records, Robert was not too bright but was very willing and, although he would never be a pilot, he aspired to join the Air Force. He joined the Special Reserve in November 1940 and then took the oath on 16th July 1941.
After training in various places, he was given 17 days’ embarkation leave and then disembarked in the UK on 9th March 1942. He was posted to No. 405 Squadron on 23rd November 1942 and re-mustered on 5th December 1942 as an Air Gunner. Unfortunately, he was killed in action just 10 days later, on 15th December. He had a fiancee at home in Canada, Nina Morley, and a father and large family of siblings waiting on his return. His mum, my great-aunt, had died in 1939.
He was posthumously awarded the following medals: 39-45 Star; European Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; CVSM, award & clasp; Memorial Bar.
I cannot find any record of a burial site so I am assuming that he died over water or in enemy territory where no memorial is possible.