We have One Mouth…

Detail from one of two Kindertransport Memorials, Liverpool Street Station, London (P. Ferguson image, November 2019).

Detail from one of two Kindertransport Memorials, Liverpool Street Station, London.
(P. Ferguson image, November 2019).

But two ears…it is time for me to listen

If all the trees in the world turned into pens, all the waters in the oceans turned into ink and the heavens turned into paper, it would still be insufficient material to describe the horrors these people suffered…

Captain Lesley Henry Hardman MBE
Rabbi, British Army Chaplain’s Department
First Chaplain to Enter
Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp

The Windermere Children shown on PBS last night was not what I had expected. This story of post-war, Jewish Holocaust youth survivors and their arrival in England was not known to me. I felt saddened that my previous endeavours had never brought their lives to me. For that I apologize.

…I have walked the galleries of a museum’s Holocaust exhibit. Stood at the entrance to see the floating images of Jewish life amidst music and laughter until one turns the corner to find the black, red and white symbols of the final solution.  I have sat and witnessed a Jewish family amidst a group of German youth within this same space. The image was staggering…the silent voices shattering.

Though I have photographed Great War German Jewish soldiers graves amongst so many of their fellows…Stopped to view the Kindertransport Memorials at Liverpool Street Station…Watched and felt Schindler’s List and other Holocaust films…I re-learned last night…there are many stories to hear…my eyes and ears must be prepared to understand so much that I do not know.

———-0———-

The Reverend Leslie Henry Hardman MBE
Appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (1998)
For services to the Jewish community in Hendon, London and to survivors of the Belsen concentration camp.

———-0———-

Five Voices from The Windermere Children (2020)

The memories are absolutely indescribable. After all the hardship, hunger and disease good things started in Windermere.

Dr. Chaim “Harry” Olmer BEM
Dentist
Awarded the British Empire Medal
(New Year Honour 2018)
For services to Holocaust Education.
———-0———-

It gave me a lot, because I made many friends. This is most important because I was not alone any more.

Sir Ben Helfgott MBE
Captain of the British Weightlifting Team 1956 and 1960 Olympics
Businessman
Appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire
(Queen’s Birthday Honour 2000)
For Services to Community Relations

———-0———-

Windermere is my first home in England…which means that I’ve always got an allegiance to it. I am a citizen of a state. I am proud of it. A lot. A lot. When I show my British passport I know who I am.

Schmuel “Sam” Laskier
Businessman

———-0———-

First of all, we will forever be grateful to the British Government…for giving us the opportunity …to go on with our lives. Give us opportunity…to work here.

Icek “Ike” Alterman
Jeweler

———-0———-

I felt like living again…more or less everything opened up for me…I started feeling like I’m a human being again. That [is what] Windermere did to me….I’m a happy person and also I help…try to help my fellow human beings as much as I can.

Arek Hersh MBE
Businessman
Appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire
(New Year Honour 2009)
For voluntary service to Holocaust Education

…..
I hope tonight I have listened.
PF

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This entry was posted by on Monday, April 6th, 2020 at 8:49 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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