3 YORKS (Duke of Wellington's), attached to 1 Coldstream Guards Battle Group
Lance Corporal Graham Nathan Shaw was born in Huddersfield on 31 January 1983. He completed Army training in September 2000 at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, and arrived in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment in November of the same year. He successfully undertook a JNCO
cadre in 2002 promoting to Lance Corporal in the spring of 2004.
Lance Corporal Shaw was a member of a 3 YORKS platoon serving with 1 Coldstream Guards Battle Group, in the Babaji District of central Helmand province. On the 1 February 2010, he was a Team Leader of a base security foot patrol south of the Kings Hill check point when an improvised explosive device detonated killing him instantly.
Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, Commanding Officer 3 YORKS said:
"Typically, Lance Corporal Graham Shaw was at the front of the patrol when he was tragically killed by an IED in Helmand. He was 27 years old, totally selfless, an excellent soldier and the best of fun. He had that knack of being able to balance both work and play to ensure he got the very best out of all that he tackled. He was from Huddersfield and he had that Yorkshire fighting spirit in abundance. You would want him on your team whatever the task. Lance Corporal Graham Shaw was at his best on operations where he thrived under the added pressure and difficult conditions. He would brighten your day with his sense of humour and determination to get the job done. Lance Corporal Graham Shaw's loss is felt by us all in this close knit Battalion, but none more so than by his family and friends and our thoughts and prayers are with them. A great soldier and a great bloke who served his country and his friends, making Afghanistan a better place."
Lieutenant Colonel Toby Gray, Commanding Officer, 1 COLDM GDS Battle Group said:
"For the Coldstreamers, we have been privileged to have had such a fine soldier as Lance Corporal Shaw serving amongst us. He was a perfect example of the level of soldiering excellence resonating from all the attached 'Dukes'. Bright, enthusiastic and keen to do the right thing no matter how daunting, he epitomised everything you would want in a JNCO. Lance Corporal Shaw's short time serving in the Coldstream Battle
"Group was characterised by an invigorating boost of energy brought by his presence. His passing is keenly felt across this Battle Group, and across all ranks and capbadges. Lance Corporal Shaw's tragic death only strengthens our resolve to bring peace and stability to this part of Helmand province. His family's pain at his passing is reflected here amongst his fellow infantrymen and our thoughts are very much with them at this time."
Lance Sergeant Steve Stuart, Section Commander, 1 COLDM GDS said:
"Lance Corporal Graham Shaw was a loyal friend and throughout my years of having the pleasure of training, working and socialising with him I found him to have a great sense of humour. He loved his job and always conducted himself in a manner that demonstrated the utmost professionalism. An inspiration to all those around him, he will be greatly missed by his friends and both Regiments; he devoted his life to the service of both. Rest in peace my friend; my heart is with you and my thoughts are with your family"
Major Charlie Foinette, Officer Commanding 4 Company, 1 COLDM GDS said:
"We received thirteen men from 3 YORKS at the beginning of January to reinforce the Coldstreamers and their comrades from 2 YORKS, already operating from this patrol base. From the very first, they have impressed everyone with whom they work. That they are such a very strong multiple is to a large degree due to the infectious and highly professional personalities of their team commanders. Corporal Riley and Lance Corporal Shaw were these men and will leave a huge gap, not just in their team, but also for the company at large. They were extraordinarily fine representatives of the 'Dukes' and had made themselves very firmly part of the Coldstream 'family' too. The men of this company extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends left behind by Corporal Riley and Lance Corporal Shaw. We will never forget them.
"Lance Corporal Shaw was an impressive NCO, clearly respected and popular amongst a very close-knit team. I regret that I knew him for such a short time, but he made firm friends amongst this company. In the few weeks we knew him he demonstrated time and again that he was very much one of us. He will be so sadly missed."
Major Nick McKenzie, Officer Commanding Corunna Company, 3 YORKS said:
"Lance Corporal Shaw trained with the company throughout our pre-deployment training for Op TELIC and Op HERRICK. He deployed to Babaji as a Battle Casualty Replacement with the Coldstream Guards in late December last year.
"I was amazed with the way in which he handled his short notice deployment, full of beans and ready to get to Afghanistan and do the job that he loved. He was a first rate junior commander with bags of military and life experiences. Whilst not deploying in his usual guise as a sniper he was more than happy to deploy as a team commander. He was thriving on the daily challenges that he and his mates were facing.
"He was known to us as 'Shawy' or 'Shozza'. Relaxed and calm under pressure, he was always able to provide the goods when required. During pre-deployment training he was always in the thick of the action charging around on his quad, delivering essential supplies and morale. Lance Corporal Shaw died doing the job he loved. He will be sorely missed by us all in the Company, but never forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this desperately difficult and sad time."
Captain Chris Ibbotson, Company Second in Command, 3 YORKS said:
"Lance Corporal Shaw was an extremely likeable and capable man, a figurehead for the men under his command. He was always able to see the bright side of any occasion, no matter how bleak, and could always be found helping less experienced, and at times more experienced, individuals when needed. Extremely professional, Lance Corporal Shaw also sported an infectious sense of humour. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him."
Captain Simon Farley, Platoon Commander, 3 YORKS said:
"'Shozza' was one of life's true characters and will be missed beyond words. He epitomised what it was to be a soldier. His courage was evident in everything he did and he wore his heart on his sleeve. It was a privilege to have served with him. The phrase 'work hard, play hard' couldn't describe his take on life any better. Ever smiling, he approached life with gusto and enjoyed every minute of it. My thoughts go out to his family. He will leave a gap in more lives than he would ever know and I will miss him. The loss of 'Shozza' is huge and will be felt throughout the Regiment for a long time. Our thoughts are with his family who will be feeling the loss more acutely than we can imagine."
Sergeant Adrian Dixon, Platoon Sergeant, 3 YORKS said:
"We got to know each other throughout training, and then saw each other when I joined 3 Yorks. You were the 'granddad of the Multiple' and all the boys looked up to you. Your experience was overwhelming. We are all thinking of your family at this awful time."
Private Luke Davidson 3 YORKS, said:
"'Shawy' was always someone you looked up to. Calm and composed he was a great commander, ready to offer good advice to those less experienced.
"We will be lost without you."
