Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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   Civilian William Shuter
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Dated added: 24/10/2019   Last updated: 13/06/2024
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: Civilian Casualty (Unknown Civilian)
Date Of Birth: 18/04/1909
Died: 13/03/1941 (Home)
Age: 31
Summary      
William Shuter was the son of Thomas and Sarah Jane Shuter. He was born on 18th April 1909 in the Killymuck area, near Salterstown. His father was now a fisherman. By the time of World War Two, William was a civilian living in Dumbarton, Scotland. William Shuter was killed on 14th March 1941 in what became known as the Clydebank Blitz, when German bombers attacked the area around the shipyards on the Clyde. Although the CWGC do not record a grave, memorial notices from the family in 1942 declare that he was buried in Dumbarton Cemetery.
Further Information
William Shuter was the son of Thomas and Sarah Jane Shuter. Thomas Shuter and Sarah Jane Griffin were married on 14th December 1900 in the district of Cookstown.
The 1901 census lists William's parents as living at house 8 in Killymuck, Salterstown, County Londonderry. Thomas was a farmer.
William Shuter was born on 18th April 1909 in the Magherafelt area. He was one of at least five children.
The 1911 census lists William as age 2, living with the family at house 19 in Killymuck, Salterstown. His father was now a fisherman.
Known family: Thomas Shuter, Sarah Jane Shuter, Robert Shuter (born 29th June 1903), Thomas Shuter (born about 1905), William Shuter (born 18th April 1909), Susannah Sissie Shuter (born 23rd July 1911), John Shuter (born 1st June 1914).
By the time of World War Two, William was living in Dumbarton, Scotland.
William Shuter was killed on 14th March 1941 in what became known as the Clydebank Blitz, when German bombers attacked the area around the shipyards on the Clyde.
1942
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 14th March 1942:
SHUTER – Treasured memories of my dear brother William, who died through enemy action on 14th March 1941, and was interred in Dumbarton Cemetery, Scotland.
‘Time rolls in but memories linger,
Tears of sorrow always stay;
Memory keeps him ever near us,
Though he died one year today.
How constantly we think of him,
With hearts and eyes that feel;
The love we had for him in life,
In death is stronger still.’
Loving remembered by his sister and brother-in-law, Sissie and Billie Bigger, Shaw’s Bridge, County Down.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 14th March 1942:
SHUTER – In loving and affectionate remembranc3e of our dear son and brother William, who died on 14th March 1941 as the result of enemy action was interred in Dumbarton Cemetery, Scotland.
‘No mother’s care did not attend,
Nor over him did a mother bend,
No sister by to shed a tear,
Or brothers waiting his last words to bear.
Whilst dying in a far-off land,
No father by to take his hand,
No mother near to close his eyes,
Far from his native home he dies.’
Ever remembered by his loving father, mother, brothers and sister-in-law, Killymuck, Moneymore and Belfast.
1943
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 20th March 1943:
SHUTER – (Result of enemy action) – In loving and affectionate remembrance of our own dear son and brother, William, who died on 14th March 1941 as the result of enemy action and was interred in Dumbarton Cemetery, Scotland.
‘The stars that shine over a lonely grave
Of one we loved but could not save
God called him homer, it was His will,
Forget Him? No, we never will.’
Ever remembered by his loving father, mother, brothers and sister-in-law, Killymuck, Moneymore, County Derry.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 20th March 1943:
SHUTER – (Result of enemy action) – Treasured memories of my dear brother William, who died through enemy action on 14th March 1941 and was interred in Dumbarton Cemetery, Scotland.
‘Death often comes to make us know
We love more dearly than we show
But love in death should make us see
What love in life should always be’
Lovingly remembered by his sister and brother-in-law, Cissie and Billie Bigger. Shaw’s Bridge, County Down
1944
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th March 1944:
SHUTER – Result of enemy action – In loving and affectionate remembrance of our dear son and brother William, who died on 14th March 1941 as the result of enemy action, and was interred in Dumbarton Cemetery, Scotland.
‘It is not the tears at the time that are shed,
That show that the heart is torn;
It’s the lonely tears of the after years,
And the sorrow that’s silently borne.’
Ever remembered by his loving father, mother, brothers and sister-in-law. Killymuck, Moneymore.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th March 1944:
SHUTER – Result of enemy action – In loving and affectionate remembrance of my dear brother William, who died on through enemy action died on 14th March 1941, and was interred in Dumbarton Cemetery, Scotland.
‘Too far away his grave to see.
But not too far to think of thee.’
Lovingly remembered by his sister and brother-in-law, Cissie and Billie Bigger. Shaw’s Bridge, County Down.
1945
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 17th March 1945:
SHUTER – Result of enemy action – In loving and affectionate remembrance of our dear son and brother William, who died on 14th March 1941 (as the result of enemy action) and was interred in Dumbarton Cemetery, Scotland.
‘Too far away his grave to see.
But not too far to think of thee.’
Ever remembered by his loving father, mother, brothers and sister-in-law. Killymuck, Ballinderry Bridge and Belfast.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 17th March 1945:
SHUTER – Treasured memories of my dear brother, William, who died through enemy action on 14th March 1941and was interred in Dumbarton Cemetery, Scotland. Memories will ever remain. Ever remembered by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Cissie and Billie Bigger. Donegall Road, Belfast.
Memorials
Memorial notices from the family in 1942 declare that he was buried in Dumbarton Cemetery.
William Shuter has no known grave and is commemorated on the Clydebank Blitz Memorial in Old Dalnottar Cemetery on Great Western Road in Clydebank. The CWGC record the location as Burgh of Clydebank.
The CWGC record William Shuter as living at 196 High Street, Dumbarton. He is recorded as the son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Shuter. It is recorded that he died at ‘Second Terrace’.
Read more
Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Killymuck Loop-Ballyronan Census listing in Killymuck 54.673192 -6.539239
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Shuter family Lists William's parents as living at house 8 in Killymuck, Salterstown, Londonderry
2 1911 Census lists Shuter family Lists William as age 2 living with the family at house 19 in Killymuck, Salterstown, Londonderry
3 Clydebank Blitz list includes the name of William Shuter
4 FindAGrave.com Photo of memorial
5 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Ernest Glasgow's inscription can be purchased here
6 War Memorials Online Photo of William Shuter's inscription
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023