Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Shaw, Eyre Massey
SHAW, Sir EYRE MASSEY (1830–1908), head of the London Metropolitan Fire Brigade, born at Ballymore, co. Cork, on 17 Jan. 1830, was third son of Bernard Robert Shaw of Monkstown Castle, co. Cork, by his first wife, Rebecca, daughter of Edward Hoare Reeves of Castle Kelvin and Ballyglissane, co. Cork. After attending Dr. Coghlan's school at Dublin he passed into Trinity College and graduated B.A. in 1848, proceeding M.A. in 1854. He was destined for holy orders, but doubting his fitness at the last moment he took ship for America, and after many weeks found himself on the western side of the Atlantic. His family intervened and obtained a commission for him in the army in 1854; he remained six years in the army and became captain in the North Cork rifles (militia), retiring in 1860. In 1859 he obtained the post of chief constable or superintendent of the borough forces of Belfast. His duties included control of the Belfast fire service, which he succeeded in reorganising. With characteristic vigour he suppressed disturbances and party fights in the town, which at that time were frequent, and his impartiality was recognised by both Orange and Catholic factions. His repute travelled outside the limits of Ulster. On the death of James Braidwood [q. v.], superintendent of the London fire brigade, at the great fire in Tooley Street in 1861, Shaw was chosen to fill his place. For the next thirty years he retained the office, and during that period by his personal efforts perfected the organisation of the metropolitan system, which it was his ambition to render the best in the world. He never spared himself. During the first six years of his command he was absent from duty only sixteen days. He was always astir at 3 a.m. to drill and train his men. He paid frequent visits to foreign countries to study any novel arrangements. While he was head of the brigade the number of fire-engine stations grew from 13 to 59, the number of firemen from 113 to 706, and the length of hose from 4 to 33 miles. He dealt with a total of 65,004 fires, an average of five a day, and 2796 men in all passed through his hands. He was more than once injured while directing operations — twice severely.
The instruction, discipline, and finance of the brigade were all under Shaw's control, and he gave important evidence before select parliamentary committees in the Houses of Lords and Commons. He also wrote on his special subject many treatises, which were reckoned of standard authority. Among these were 'Records of the Late London Fire Brigade Establishment' (1870); 'Fire Surveys: a Summary of the Principles to be observed in estimating the Risks of Buildings' (1872); 'Fires in Theatres' (1876; 2nd edit. 1889); 'Fire Protection' (1876); and 'A Complete Manual of the Organisation, Machinery, Discipline and General Working of the Fire Brigade of London ' (1876; revised edit. 1890). In 1879 he was nominated C.B., and in 1884 he received the good service medal. When he retired on a pension in 1891, he was nominated K.C.B. (civil). He received the freedom of the Coachmakers' Company in the same year, and the freedom of the City of London in 1892. On his retirement the fire insurance companies showed their appreciation of his admirable work by the presentation of a splendid silver service. He was subsequently managing director of the Palatine Insurance Company, chairman of the Metropolitan Electric Supply Company, and a D.L. for Middlesex. Shaw was a sportsman, engaging in early life in hunting and shooting, and subsequently in yachting. Some years before his death he suffered, despite his exuberant vitality, amputation of a diseased leg, and the remaining limb was removed at a later date. He met his physical disabilities in old age with courage. He died at Folkestone on 25 Aug. 1908, and was buried at Highgate.
In 1855 he married Anna (d. 1897), daughter of Señor Murto Dove of Lisbon and Fuzeta, Portugal, and by her he had several daughters. A caricature by 'Ape' appeared in ' Vanity Fair ' in 1871.
[The Times, 26 and 31 Aug. 1908; Daily Telegraph, 26 Aug. 1908; Dod's Knightage; Walford's County Families; private information.]