Arthur Shaw was the son of Harry and Edna May Shaw, of Rodsley, Derbyshire, he enlisted in the General Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Shaw successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 150B from 24 January to 8 February 1945. His course report stated ”Average, quiet, dour, nervous reaction normal, worked hard”. He was posted to 12th (10th Battalion the Green Howards [Yorkshire Regiment]) Bn., the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Pte Shaw was killed in action on 3 April 1945, aged 19, whilst taking part in the Rhine Crossing during operation Varsity and was given a field burial at Hasbergen, Germany and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, on 23 May 1947.