The Goderich Signal-Star, 1973-04-19, Page 13ut 150 people, many
g friends, attended a
ent banquet Saturday
B at the Maitland Cour);
lub in honour of Fred
all who had been
ich Police Chief for 15
N1inshall was born in
in 008
ester Erg�ittidcii in 1910.
2,
to Guelph
2, hemoved to !
piton with hitt parents.
as in 1938 when an old
Frank 111rngsworth
fed to Fred that he apply
opening in the Guelph
which at that time was
Chief Harold Nash. Out
applicants, Fred was
as Guelph': new con-.
with a starting salary of
per year and ti possible
cement to $1450 after
ars.
his starting day April 1,
1938, Fred was issued the
necessary equipment and of-
ficially became a policeman.
Sergeant Bagnell who is now
Chief in 'Chatham thhfen
remarked, "Well you look like
a policeman, now it's up to you
as to what you make out of it".
As he thinks back to those,
early days of policing, Chief
Minshall recounts that "being a
constable in those days was en-
tirely different than it is now.
Walking the beat then was a
vital part of everyday policing.
A constable would meet many
interesting people on his beat
during the course of the day."
The patrol car was only used in
emergencies and driven mainly
by officers and not constables.
Guelph is reputed to have had
the first two-way car radio in
North America.
Fred was a member of the
Guelph force for 20 years and
advanced to the rank of
sergeant while there. Ile then
madu -the decision to apply as
Chief of Goderich policing. It
was 0 decision that he has
"never regretted".
Chief Minshall believes that
most of the changes he has seen
over the years in policing, are.
due to trends and time. "At one
time police were greatly respec-
ted and obeyed but now people
want to know why they should
listen to them."
"We are corning to a point in
society where the hiring ,of
more policemen per detach-
ment will be a necessity. What
Huron needs is a county police
force instead of the several.
smaller forces."
"Being a police officer has
been a most emotionally rewar-
ding experience and if I could
do it all over again, 1 wouldn't
change a ailing" stated the
Chief. It is Fred's intention to
just take it easy for awhile and
decide later on as to what he
may do to keep active.
Pat King the man to whom
the job of Chief now goes, is
also a very well qualified in-
dividual having last served
with the Oakville Police Force
in the capacity of detective. Pat
who arrived here in the sum-
mer of 72, is no stranger to
Goderich having had a cottage
near here for some time, `Ip
Many ways Goderich reminds
him of where he was born in
England because of the har-
bour and ships. Pat had inten-
ded on retiring here, srrmeday
anyway. "In that way, I just
arrived here sooner 'than I
might have--, he stated.
At the special dinner,1Chief
King presented , Mr. Minshall
with a series of pictures tracing
his police career through the
years. Fred commented "where
on earth did you get these".
Provincial Judge Glenn
Hays, citing the former chief's
"integrity" presented him with
the Police Chiefs'Association of
Canada long service medal.
Other presentations included, a
life membership in the Ontario.
Association of Police Chiefs, a
special set of pens on behalf of
the town, a pen desk set from
Sheaffer Pen Company 'of
Goderich and his chief's badge
and the sergeant's badge that
he wore with the Guelph force.
The fourth regular meeting
s,f Hurop-Perth Presbytery was
held in North Street .:United
church, Goderich on Thursday
April 12.
The day long meeting got un-
derway at 10 0.01. with the con-
stitution of the Court being
read. After the minutes of the
Fehruary 22 meeting were read
and adopted, correspondence
and the report of the executive
were heard. •
The afternoon session proved
to be very lively as marry
r.-rmrts were read and debated.
`pedal guest speaker- for the
meeting was Rev. Walton
Tonge from Toronto. Rev. Tong
is a very well travelled in -
dividual and demonstrated a
very dynamic style of speaking.
His topic was generally, on
the work of the church overseas
hut included comments on
Anne Reuber who is a
., missionary working in .Japan in
the education field. She was a
teacher in Stratford. Rev
Tonge stated that the
Presbytery, can be very proud of
Miss Reuber as she is doing a
very commendable job.
Rev. Tonge spent four years
in West China in educational
work. He also worked at the
University of Hong Kong for 12
years. For a period of four
Mars, he held the office of Per-
sonal Secretary for the Board
of World Missions. He is
currently in charge of Special
Gifts in the United Church of
Canada Department of Stewar-
dship Services.
The Stewardship Division
•
promotes stewardship
throughout the churches and
also raise funds to support the
Missionary and Service Fund.
The objective for 1973 is 11 and
one half million dollars. The
1972 objective was $11,10,000
which was surpassed.
The -next meeting may be
held in June while a major con-
ference is planned for Windsor
May 8, a9, 10.
er Police Chief; Fred Minshall was presented with a long service medal by Huron
e Glenn Hays on behalf of the Police Chiefs' Association of Canada. The presentation
place Saturday night at a special retirement dinner in his honour. Chief Minshall had
In police work fdr 35 years.
The special guest speaker at the United Church Huron -
Perth Presbytery meeting held at the North Street United
Church Thursday April 12 was Rev. Walton Tonge from
Toronto. Rev. Tonge gave a good oral presentation on the
work of the church abroad.
Three members of the Huron -Perth Presbytery executive for 1973-74 are left to right;
treasurer Joe Snider of Goderich; Chairman Rev. Douglas Warren of Creditlon; and
Secretary Rev. Derwyn Docken of Walton. ,
(41111:i
•
.69c
39
meson for most people may seem Nice a few mon-
St but Kevin Cutt Is getting riidy nevertheless.
the local Royal Canadian branch who own
t LantOastsr bomber on display at Sky Harbor
the summer menthe Kevin takes tourists
through the blg plane which was altered from Its 01041 use
to that of marine rescue. A grade twelve student at Q.D.C.I.
Kevin is working: the
�dans oforritsasummer ve away old psitors.staff
aint land just
generally preps
photo)
Kevin Cutt will soon be
taking tourists and other in-
terested persons on guided
tours of the 19:39 vintage Lan-
caster Bomber which is on
display as an Historic -Site at
- Sky Harbor airport, the scene
Of. air training for many of
Canada's world war • two air
crews.
It may be a few months
,before the tourist trade around
Goderich really starts to move
but in the meantime the tour
guide is busy getting ready.
There's a lot of loose and
flaking paint to be scraped and
countless other clean tip jobs
that must be completed before
the craft can he opened to the
public' for another season.
Kevin works for the Royal
Canadian Legion. Branch 109,
in Goderich who own the
World War Two aircraft and
according to the Legion he was
most anxious to get started on
his spring clean up chores.
Goderich's Lancaster, the
Legion explains, is the only sur-
viving bomber of its make,
which is open to the public.
June through September it is
opened for guided tours on
Saturdays and Sundays.
During the summer of 1972
more than 500 people toured
the aircraft and it is estimated
that ten times this number visit
the site to photograph the Lan-
caster and read the historic
plaque. The plane was
declared an histtnric site by the
Provincial Government soon
after its erection.
The maintenance and tour
guides, who are veterans' sons,
are provided by the Lancaster
Committee of Branch 109 of
the Royal Canadian,Legion.
Although disciissioris are Still
underway in connection with
just where the final location
will he it is possible the Lan-
caster may have company out
at Sky Harbor. The -Local
Legion recently' completed the
piirchase''of a Sherr'riah Tank
whish is also to be put on
display.
The. tank is at present being
deactivated, having its breach
blocks welded closed, and g
ting a paint job. A Canadian
Forces "Tank Recovery ('re*
will bring the piece of equip-
ment to Goderich after work is
completed.
The tank may be placed ,on
the lawn in front of the Legion
The historical Lancaster bomber at Sky Harbor Airport, owned by the local branch of the
Royal Canadian Legion, may have company In the near future. The Legion Is awaiting
delivery of a Sherman Tank but It has not yet been decided whether the tank will be located
next to the bomber or on the front lawn of the legion hall. At present the tank is being deac-
tivated (staving Its breeches welded shut) and being painted. (staff photo)