On This day, 24 October 1918

Birmingham Mail 

Thursday 24 October 1918

A BIRMINGHAM HEROINE.

POSTHUMOUS AWARD OF THE CROIX DE GUERRE

DEVOTION AND COURAGE BEYOND PRAISE.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Shaw, of St. John’s, Priory Road, Edgbaston, have been informed that the French Government have awarded the posthumous honour of the Croix de Guerre with palm to their daughter, Miss Evelyn Fidgeon Shaw, who died on August 24 last, at Sezanne, where she had rendered valorous service as a motor driver under the British Committee of the French Red Cross.

In a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, the Director-General of the French Red Cross states that he has received an intimation of the French Government’s award to their daughter, who, “in the name of her country, and while working under the committee, laid down her life to serve France. On behalf of his Excellency, the French Ambassador, la Vicomtesse de la Panouse, and every member of the Executive, I have very respectfully and most sincerely to sympathise with you in your irreparable loss. I do assure you that we share your sorrow, as also the pride you must feel in one who was ready to give her all for the good of her fellow men.”

Captain le Lorrain, Permanent Inspector of Automobile Services in the East District, writing to Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, says that “consequent upon a report forwarded to him concerning the admirable devotion through which your daughter has fallen a victim, General  Petain has, by Order 10096, desired personally to recognise her merits by conferring upon her a military order. I am therefore forwarding to you by the same post the French Croix de Guerre with palm. To this official testimony from France is joined the sincere congratulations of the Director of Automobile Services to the Armies and the heartfelt expression of gratitude and profound respect.”

Accompanying the award was a certificate, signed by General Petain, and stating that as a voluntary driver, whose devotion and courage were beyond all praise, Miss Shaw “gave herself without counting the cost, with a supreme contempt for danger and fatigue, to the service of evacuating the wounded circumstances often difficult and under the bombardment of enemy aviators. Died from the effects of a contagious malady contracted during the accomplishment of her duties.”

Image: Nurse Eveline Fidgeon Shaw, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. Died of illness contracted on duty 24 August 1918. © IWM (WWC H5-1-1)