ColonelSir Archibald Douglas McInnes Shaw, DSO (15 March 1895 – 10 June 1957)[1] was a Scottish soldier, businessman and Unionist Party politician. He served in both World Wars, and sat in the House of Commons from 1924 to 1929.
Shaw unsuccessfully contested Paisley at the 1923 general election.[3] He was selected to contest the seat at the next election, and as prospective candidate he nursed the constituency during 1924.[4] However, just before nominations closed on 18 October, he withdrew in order to give the sitting Liberal PartyMember of Parliament (MP), former Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, a straight fight with the Labour Party candidate.[4] His withdrawal from Paisley opened the way for a wider pact between Liberals and Conservatives across Scotland,[4][5] and Shaw was promptly nominated in Western Renfrewshire.[4][5]
He defeated the sitting Labour MP Robert Murray, becoming the MP for Western Renfrewshire for the next five years,[6] but did not defend the seat at the 1929 general election,[7] telling his local Unionist Association that his decision was for business reasons.[8]
In 1935 he became chairman of the Alhambra Theatre Glasgow.[11] He resumed active service in the Army in World War II, commanding the 64th Anti-Tank Regiment before moving to the 19th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in 1941.[2]
On moving to Symington, Ayrshire he was elected a councillor and became Convenor of Ayrshire County Council. He was knighted in 1953 for political and public services,[2] and died on 10 June 1957, aged 62.[1]
^ abcdef"Sir D. Macinnes Shaw Public Life in Glasgow". The Times. London. 12 June 1957. col D, p. 10.
^Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 605. ISBN0-900178-06-X.
^ abcd"Election Campaign. Unionist Withdraws at Paisley., Agreement in Other Divisions., Mr. Asquith's Straight Fight". The Times. London. 14 October 1924. p. 7, col A.
^ ab"Mr. Asquith's Fight. The Older Parties in Scotland., Labour's Big Effort". The Times. London. 22 October 1924. p. 16, col C.