Seventy-one years ago, Bacchus Marsh firefighter Gus Spargo saved the life of teenager Terence Shields and was later given a Country Fire Authority lifesaving award.
At the Bacchus Marsh brigade’s annual awards night in September, the heroic firefighter was remembered with a replica of the award, the Horrocks Shield, handed to the station by the CFA.
In a twist of fate, Mr Shields’ nephew – and current brigade member – Jason McMillan was on hand for the presentation.
“I was chuffed [that] there was a deeper connection with myself and the fire brigade,” Mr McMillan said.
“A piece of the puzzle has been solved.
“I knew the shield was kept at the Fiskville site, but I didn’t know the relationship with Gus and my uncle,” he said.
The Horrocks Shield is awarded to brigades or members who have saved lives – not necessarily in fires.
It has been awarded 14 times since 1918.
On April 29, 1944, Mr Spargo was out fishing at the Werribee River near Eynesbury, when he saved the life of Terence Shields, who had fallen into a nine-metre-deep well.
A Bendigo firefighter was the last member to be awarded the shield – in 1974.
