Good evening.
I want to thank Adam and his father for inviting me to speak tonight. My Name is Chris Shields , My purpose here today is to speak as a long standing resident in this municipality. I grew up in the town of Dugald, those of you who drive through the town heading west on Dugald road you would have seen my dad’s horses as you drive to Winnipeg . My family has a lot of roots in the municipality..
My great grandfather Horace Hoole owned the property next to the existing post office of today, his picture can be found on a historic photos wall in the Dugald community club .. He shared the land with his daughter, my grandmother,- Jessie so her husband Gerald Shields could build a house and raise a family to which my dad grew up in. Still standing today.
Growing up in Dugald my reflection on the town was simple living … there was historic references everywhere, such as
-the original hockey rink warm up shack still being used today ,
-the bush behind the elementary school where we used to play war that still has the wrecked 1920’s Model T sitting in 2 feet of mud,
-the foundations still sitting from the original train station,
and the street names .. Gillespie, Holland, and Edna, all last names of residents of the town. Last names of past, present, and future.
On the late evening of September 2, 1947 in the town of Dugald, it was a very devastating day for many people. For those not aware, there was a train wreck that evening. 2 trains collided and woke up the whole town to the sounds and sights no one wanted to experience . 31 people had died and many were injured. At age 32, my grandfather, Gerald Shields heard that big bang while working in his garage that night, reacting on gut instinct, ran 100 yards through a ditch of mud and water, first on the scene, climbed on to the burning wreck and managed to pull out 2 women, 2 men and one child from the fire and wreckage. After those 5 were removed, he attempted remove another, but the man was pinned and the flames forced him to back away. Thankfully others arrived to help.
I recall at the young age seeing the scars on both of his arms that the fire had caused, but I was too young to understand or ask why.
My grandfather never talked about it.
Throughout the years, learning what Gerald Shields had done, I watched and waited for Dugald to develop. I knew in some way my grandfather should have some sort of recognition.
Almost 2 years ago the RM linked me to Adam Rossol from RDI. Adam has been straightforward and real from the start . .. meeting with Adam I could see that he and his team have genuine efforts to see good to come from the development and the municipality. When I first met Adam I was prepared to prove my efforts. I showed up at a Tim Hortons with all sorts of documentation regarding my grandfather’s heroic efforts.
I was expecting to hear a no…
My intent was to approach Adam with the idea that if there is further development in Dugald, then perhaps we could assign a street name after the heroic efforts that is significant to the history of the town of Dugald.
I feel it is our responsibility to recognize some heroes of the past for the future generations to google and learn and pass it on.
Adam and his team are supportive to make that happen for Gerald Shields , with councils’ approval I will be happy to know that my family can walk across the street from my parents house to the new development and take a stroll down the walking path on Gerald Shields drive which I’m hopeful and excited will be there for future generations to come.
Thanks for listening