Enough Words

Medic's Helmet, Red Cross

A medic’s helmet at the In Flanders Fields Museum, Ieper, Belgium.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2016)

Today

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow

Lean on Me (1972)…Bill Withers

…stay safe…enough words for today…
P.F.

Private Frederick Arthur Bennett
Royal Canadian Regiment
Awarded the Military Medal

For bravery and devotion to duty at KENDDALL SAP on the 4th. October 1916. He acted as guide to a patrol proceeding to that place which had proved very difficult to locate; On reaching the sap 5 wounded soldiers who had been there 4 days were discovered. The patrol pushed on up the sap, he remaining with the wounded attending to them. He with great difficulty obtained water for them from water bottles which he picked up in the vicinity. He assisted in digging out with his hands 2 soldiers who were buried. This was all done under a very heavy Artillery fire, and the movement was made across the open in very heavy mud. His conduct was an example to all and worthy of great praise.


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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