William Shaw blue plaque

This blue commemorative plaque records: Missioner William Shaw (1842-1926). Shaw was born in Upton-upon-Severn in Worcestershire. After time spent in the Royal Navy and working for the River Police in Liverpool, he was sent to Runcorn in 1875 by the Mersey Mission to Seamen, to open a mission house here, both for the local boat people and visiting seamen. The mission house opened in 1891 and was on Station Road near Waterloo Bridge. Shaw's missionary work for the people of Runcorn was tireless. He also played a part in the founding of the Victoria Memorial ('Cottage') Hospital, which is on the corner of Holloway and Penn Lane. He erected the Seamen's Memorial in Runcorn Cemetery, for poor seamen who could not afford to be buried in consecrated ground. He was also involved in the formation of the Grappling Corps, a team that recovered the bodies of people who had drowned in the local waterways. His death was met with great sadness in the town, and large numbers of mourners lined his funeral route. He was buried in Runcorn Cemetery in Greenway Road. William and his family once lived in this house. Recorded plaque organisation: Runcorn Heritage.

William Shaw (1842-1926) was a dedicated missioner who established a mission house in Runcorn to serve local boat people and visiting seamen, significantly improving the community's welfare through various charitable initiatives. His contributions included founding the Victoria Memorial Hospital and erecting the Seamen's Memorial, earning him widespread respect and remembrance in Runcorn.