This Day at Bayeux

Bayeux War Cemetery, France.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2009)

I Will Continue to Walk

As I walked the stone markers I read their names…ranks, dates and inscriptions of those who fell. I breath deeply…release the air slowly taking in another life and think…not any thought in particular…but perhaps share in a bit of aged sorrow, once felt….now felt again for a life lost…

I remember this day at France’s Bayeux War Cemetery especially for the life of one sailor eternally at dock here with his brethren. These stone, single page books stand with scant information but provide just enough for us to learn more.

A carved anchor at the helm…at the base…A Loving Son and Brother / Died Saving His Comrades / He Leaves A Beautiful Memory…I did not know him…but his story remains this day by choosing to walk these parallel lines of stone. For Arturo Fanconi and so many others I will continue to walk.

Sick Berth Attendant Arturo Fanconi
Royal Navy
Awarded the Albert Medal in Gold (Land)
Posthumous Recipient

On 28th June, 1944, Fanconi was summoned to help men wounded by mines at Quineville in Normandy. He at once ran almost half a mile and went through what later proved to be a field of anti-personnel mines to reach them.

He applied tourniquets and bandages; then, with help, carried two patients out of the drive which was the scene of the incident. This was a tiring and difficult as it entailed hugging a wall all the way. Fanconi was on the more dangerous side throughout.

While the rescue party was considering how best to help a third man who lay some distance within the minefield, another mine burst beneath the rubble on which they stood. This killed one helper and wounded Fanconi and another. Despite this. Fanconi tried to collect his scattered medical kit and to help his comrade. He had to crawl to do so, and was in great pain.

In his attempt he exploded a further mine which blew off one of his feet. The explosion hurled him into the air, and when he fell set off a third mine which severed his other foot. A Corporal made every effort to help him, but the it was now of little use and Fanconi could not be saved.

All who had witnessed his selfless courage, his speed and skill in giving aid to others, all the while exposing himself to immediate danger, were inspired by his great example.

Remember them well. Arturo Fanconi…
He Leaves A Beautiful Memory.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2009)

Tags: Albert Medal, Arturo Fanconi, Bayeux War Cemetery, Royal Navy, Sick Berth Attendant

This entry was posted by pferguson on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 at 7:00 pm and is filed under Inspired By a True Story. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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 Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was captivated by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Over time Paul became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography, narration 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 inspired when he learned Weir visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. "Gallipoli", the film, led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli, North Macedonia and Salonika. When Paul first watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", 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 was 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, Paul 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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