Frank and Little Val circa 1943

Frank with sons John and Geoff circa 1950

a very blurry snap of bald baby John and small Val 1944

Frank with son Geoffrey circa

seaside holiday

Studio portrait - Mary and Val

The newly married couple took a rented house in Heckmondwike and Frank had a post at the local Tank Works. Although he could have been drafted to the shop floor and so escaped callup, Frank saw it as his duty to volunteer, and went off to war. He served in Belgium and India, and narrowly escaped death on two occasions. The family remained in Heckmondwike until 1957, when Frank secured a post at Anderton Springs, Bingley, a move he had been hoping to make, as both he and Mary missed their home ground of Shipley. The children were educated at Norristhorpe County Primary, and Heckmondwike Grammar, the boys continuing their education at Bingley Grammar. John went to Durham University and Geoffrey to London School of Economics

family at Heckmondwike - a neighbour's garden

The young family Shaw