Norman Edward Shaw was born on 4 April 1927 at Stapleford, Derbyshire. Graduating through the University of Sheffield and holding training posts in the Royal Infirmary he entered national service, being regimental medical officer to the Coldstream Guards serving in Germany. From 1955 he proceeded with his surgical training at Mansfield, the Sheffield University anatomy department, the Children's Hospital and the Royal Infirmary, followed by specialist training and research at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and the Institute of Orthopaedics, London. He was Arris and Gale lecturer at the College in 1964. In 1965 he was appointed consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Manchester Royal Infirmary and the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry, and later honorary surgeon to the Bethesda Hospital for Handicapped Children. In the Army Emergency Reserve he kept his ties with the Army, but he also served in the St John Ambulance Brigade becoming area commissioner and a serving brother of the Order of St John. He was a member of the council of the Medical Protection Society and, at the time of his death, chairman of the Medical Board of Manchester Royal Infirmary. His professional standards were high, he was a hard-working perfectionist, skilled in his clinical work, teaching and writing. He had a special interest in crippled children and spinal surgery. His recreations included golf, sailing and music. He was an enthusiastic football supporter and gave service to several professional clubs. He was devoted to his family and was survived by his doctor wife, Margaret, and children, Andrew, Alison, Shiobhan and Duncan. He died on 14 May 1977.