James Shaw

“No need for words, except to say, loved and remembered every day.”

Jim passed away peacefully in the care of Leighton Hospital on 1st June 2022 aged 89 years.

Beloved Husband of Betty. Much Loved Dad to Amanda and the late Darren. Also a Cherished Grandad and Friend who
will be sadly missed & fondly remembered by all who new him.

His funeral will take place on Friday 17th June at Crewe Crematorium at 3.30pm.

Donations in memory of James are for Crewe Heritage Centre.

For further information and to offer your condolences, please telephone 01270 584447

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James Shaw, Betty’s beloved husband and married for sixty-four years, he fondly
known as Jim to family and friends but Jo to his workmates.
Jim was described as a real character who was very careful with his money, always
saying – “I might be made redundant!” Jim always kept track of what he was
spending, he kept every receipt throughout his life, including all their wedding costs
and when he told Betty to go and buy her own engagement ring, he gave her £20 but
as per usual, he asked for the change!
What a character. He is and always will be Betty’s beloved husband, a much loved
dad to Amanda and the late Darren, father-in-law to Richard and Moira and
cherished grandad to Kimberly.
Remembering Jim
Born in Salford to Eleanor and Albert, Jim was evacuated from the City Centre to the
rural metropolis of Shropshire. His first job was as a trainee carpenter – although
that career never took off because he was conscripted within months of starting it to
serve in the Army between February 1951 and March 1953. On completing his
National Service, his commanding officer wrote on his report card: A very solid type,
above average intelligence, reliable, understanding and has a great deal of common
sense!
Realising there were better opportunities within British Rail, Jim moved to Crewe and
initially lodged with the Dargon Family in Rolls Avenue when he started as a Railway
Fireman.
He met his future wife Betty at the Milk Bar on Chester Bridge, Edleston Road,
where he was with another fireman. They met again at Goddard Street Club and
had their first date walking around the Old Park, off Weston Lane then used to meet
Betty after she finished work.
Two years later they were engaged and when they got married Jim was twenty-five,
five years older than Betty. The reception was held at Crewe Alex and he even kept
the seating plan for prosperity!
They stayed for a week with Betty’s parents at number 79 Alexander Street then
lodged with a British Rail driver in Wayne Street until they secured a house at 62
Alexander Street. When notice given that the Street was to be demolished, they
were rehoused to number 9, a new build in Acton Road and Betty’s parents moved in
next door! And Ironically Betty’s young brother Brian and wife Barbara were later
offered a property around the corner in Marshfield Avenue.
Jim’s first mode of transport was a Lambretta and Betty rode pillion with their Welsh
Corgi, Lady in pride of place at the front in a specially made box. Amanda followed
tradition and later had her own Welsh Corgi, Truff, but in the luxury of a car. Jim
passed his driving test in 1960 and kept the receipts for his lessons along with fuel
ration book!

Both Darren and Amanda were born at the Barony in Nantwich over four years apart.
Jim continued to work at British Rail as a Fireman, working irregular shifts .. but
never mastered the art of being quiet … if he was awake everyone else was!
Bought Acton Road in 1983 under Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy Scheme and
Jim took early retirement in 1994 after 45+ years’ service after heart attack.
His proudest moments at work were receiving glowing testimonials as a Fireman, a
newspaper article in 1955 and a letter of commendation in 1958, both safely kept for
prosperity, and he drove the Royal Train a couple of times in full dress uniform and
kept the letter of appreciation.
There were other times when he was recognised for faithful service. As a blood
donor from 1958, Jim gave over fifty pints and was featured in a newspaper article
when he was presented with a gold badge and a tie embroidered in gold thread. He
also received a ring.
He volunteered as a handyman at Mirian Street Youth Club and received a letter of
commendation from the chairperson in 1978.
Jim had an operation on his spine (compression of spinal cord – thought to be
caused from poor suspension in early trains) which slowed progressive myelopathy.
His gait and grip slowly deteriorated over the years but was able to walk until fairly
recently … although the story goes that he sat down and didn’t get up again, as he
was very rarely parted from his chair!
When Amanda left home, she kindly left Truff (her Corgi) at Acton Road for her Mum
& Dad to look after … which meant Jim being parted from his chair for a daily walk.
On occasion by the time Jim actually put his shoes, jacket, scarf, gloves and cap on
the desire for a walk had left Truff and he refused to go past the front gate!
Early holidays were frequently spent with Brian & Barbara, more often than not
utilising the BR free travel passes to go to Cornwall and Isle of Wight. With Betty’s
fear of water, the crossing to IOW was usually spent on the top deck sitting on a life
raft … regardless of the weather.
One holiday in Cornwall lasted less than a day, Jim and Brian were rooting round the
garden and must have disturbed a colony of rats because the noise in the roof space
above their heads made them pack up the next morning and return home.
Jim’s sister Ann remembers a trip to Majorca with her husband Frank, Carrie and Jim
for a gathering of Salford Harriers running team and whilst Frank was off running,
she and Jim stayed in the pub!
The one and only granddaughter was born in South Africa and Jim visited Darren,
Moira and Kim just after she was born in 1993 and experienced another unique trip
… on the Blue Train.

Jim fell at home in March 2020 (from overstretching on his walker!) and broke his
hip. He went to Elmhurst for rehab after a partial hip replacement, there was lots of
gesturing and shouting through the window. After catching COVID, Jim returned to
Leighton Hospital in April 2020 before being discharged into Amanda & Richard’s
‘care’ at 101 and living in the dining room. They gave him a wireless bell and after
ringing it at 3am, he dared to ask for a biscuit! Having been told the bell was for
emergencies only in the night, he rang it to ask for the toilet and “whilst you’re up,
can you get me a biscuit!”
After 3 months, Jim returned home for a mere 6 days … before falling again. After a
short stint back in Leighton Hospital, Jim moved to Bentley Manor Care Home where
he stayed (stuck in his room with only telephone calls and the occasional window
visit for company) until COVID restrictions were lifted slightly and he was moved to
Station House Care Home in September 2021, where he very happily watching the
birds through the window and regularly asked Amanda to reposition the bird table,
instructing her with millimetre precision so he could see it from his chair without
having to crane his neck!
He had the knack of frequently breaking mobile phones, the remote control was
soaked through, but he denied all knowledge and Jim always planned everyone
else’s viewing before he went out.
He went to the George most nights and was a regular in the Rising Sun. Every
Wednesday he would meet his mates, Freddie, Jo and Trevor for a cuppa in the
Asda Café.
He used to love trips to the theatre and visited his sisters in Manchester and Amanda
remembers how she and her dad enjoyed watching musicals together and once went
to see Oklahoma in London starring Maureen Lipman and a very young Hugh
Jackman.
Kim remembered how she, her dad and grandad went to every transport museum in
England.