Bobby Shaw
1898 - 1979
1898 - 1979
Robert Gould ‘Bobby’ Shaw III was born on August 18, 1898, in Beverly, Massachusetts, the only son of socialite Robert Gould Shaw II and Viscountess Nancy Astor, the first female MP to take her seat in Parliament. His parents’ marriage was an unhappy one and only lasted four years, from 1897 to 1903.
Robert Gould ‘Bobby’ Shaw III was born on August 18, 1898, in Beverly, Massachusetts, the only son of socialite Robert Gould Shaw II and Viscountess Nancy Astor, the first female MP to take her seat in Parliament. His parents’ marriage was an unhappy one and only lasted four years, from 1897 to 1903.
After moving to England, Bobby was educated at Shrewsbury School.
After moving to England, Bobby was educated at Shrewsbury School.
Bobby served in the Royal Horse Guards and rode his own horse Lee Bridge to land the 1924 Grand Military Gold Cup, winning by 15 lengths from Mr Billy Filmer-Sankey’s mount Clashing Arms, who had been remounted after falling at the water jump.
Bobby served in the Royal Horse Guards and rode his own horse Lee Bridge to land the 1924 Grand Military Gold Cup, winning by 15 lengths from Mr Billy Filmer-Sankey’s mount Clashing Arms, who had been remounted after falling at the water jump.
When riding in the race, Bobby wore a new anti-concussion crash helmet, which was regarded as something of a novelty at the time. Such protection had not yet become mandatory and they were unkindly referred to as ‘tin hats’.
When riding in the race, Bobby wore a new anti-concussion crash helmet, which was regarded as something of a novelty at the time. Such protection had not yet become mandatory and they were unkindly referred to as ‘tin hats’.
However, in January of that year the Grand National-winning amateur rider Captain ‘Tuppy’ Bennet had died from a fractured skull, suffered in a fall at Wolverhampton on December 27, 1923. Bennet’s death led to the introduction of compulsory crash helmets for all riders in National Hunt races. Surprisingly, they were not made compulsory on the Flat until 1961.
However, in January of that year the Grand National-winning amateur rider Captain ‘Tuppy’ Bennet had died from a fractured skull, suffered in a fall at Wolverhampton on December 27, 1923. Bennet’s death led to the introduction of compulsory crash helmets for all riders in National Hunt races. Surprisingly, they were not made compulsory on the Flat until 1961.
Sadly, Bobby Shaw had long-held suicidal tendencies and his life mostly went adrift from an early point. In 1931, he was imprisoned for six months for homosexual offences. His subsequent alcoholism, his mother’s death, and the death of his half-brother William in 1966 may have increased those suicidal tendencies. He took his own life on July 10, 1979. His ashes are buried in the Octagon Temple, the estate chapel of Cliveden.
Sadly, Bobby Shaw had long-held suicidal tendencies and his life mostly went adrift from an early point. In 1931, he was imprisoned for six months for homosexual offences. His subsequent alcoholism, his mother’s death, and the death of his half-brother William in 1966 may have increased those suicidal tendencies. He took his own life on July 10, 1979. His ashes are buried in the Octagon Temple, the estate chapel of Cliveden.
