Carry On Cobber…Carry On

Trooper H. Rush...one ANZAC of Gallipoli. "Carry on Cobber"

Trooper H. Rush…one ANZAC of Gallipoli. Carry on Cobber…Carry On…
(P. Ferguson image, May 2012)

One ANZAC of Gallipoli

Today, 25 April, is ANZAC Day, a day when those especially connected to Australia and New Zealand remember those that went before. This before being, the veterans of Gallipoli, a ground this writer visited some while ago and whose heat, landscape, life, and reminders of war remain within.

Trooper Rush of the 10th Australian Light Horse is one of many cobbers [“mates” or “friends”] who remain within the earth of that far off Peninsula. Here we visit and sometimes encounter reminders of lives once lived – “HIS LAST WORDS / GOODBYE COBBER / GOD BLESS YOU”.

Harold Rush was killed Saturday 7 August 1915, age 23 and is buried at Walker’s Ridge, ANZAC, Gallipoli. 75 others are buried near to him.

The red poppies of Gallipoli. Constant reminders of the before.

The red poppies of Gallipoli. Constant reminders of the before.
(P. Ferguson image, May 2012)


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and in Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was further amazed by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Film captivated Paul and with time he became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was entranced when he learned Weir had visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. The film "Gallipoli" alone led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli and Salonika. It was, however, when Paul watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", that Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests would be a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, he believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

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