Veteran Mystery Solved at Galt Museum & Archives

MEDIA ADVISORY

Veteran Mystery Solved at Galt Museum & Archives

THU Nov 10 | 11 am| GALT MUSEUM & ARCHIVES

Lethbridge, AB–A long-standing mystery at the Galt Museum & Archives was recently solved by Collections Assistant Ruthann LaBlance. In 1965, a tunic from the First World War was donated to the Museum but information about the soldier who wore the tunic was lost. An audit conducted by the Galt Collections department revealed that the tunic belonged to Distinguished Conduct Medal recipient Sergeant John “Jack” Martin Shield.

Shield was born in England in 1886, and moved to Canada with his parents in 1912. The family settled on a farm in the Ardenville district near Fort Macleod. Shield enlisted in  the Army in February 1915 and served overseas with the Eighth Battalion .

In August 1918, Shield was involved in the Battle of Amiens. In the fighting, he was shot in the leg and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His actions were reported in the London Gazette: “When about 80 of the enemy were cut off by his platoon and attempted to break through, he strenuously opposed them, killing four before he was wounded. He continued in the attack until the objective was reached. He showed absolute disregard for danger, and set a fine example to his men.”

In 1941, Shield enlisted again, serving with the Veteran’s Guard until the end of the Second World War.

Shield’s daughter, Ruth Cadick, recently spoke with Galt staff about her father. As a small child, she can remember her mother putting “plasters on his chest so he could breathe.” She believes that Shield had a deep sense of patriotism and that he “instilled a love of country in my children–to have them all join in some sort of military service to the country.”

“Remembrance Day is for memory and to commemorate the sacrifice made by Canadian soldiers.  This is the value and service the Museum offers to the community.” says Galt Museum & Archives CEO & Executive Director, Susan Burrows-Johnson.  51 years after the original donation, we will commemorate John Sheild’s service. Several members of Shield’s family, including his daughter, Edith Moyes, will be at the Galt Museum & Archives on November 10 at 11 am, to talk with media and staff about his wartime experiences. The Galt Museum & Archives would like to thank the Alberta Museum Association for the Operational Staffing Grant that funds Ruthann LaBlance’s position.

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