Gordon Highlander Girl

A wee girl at the photo studio.

A wee girl at the photo studio.

A Bonnie Wee Lass in Uniform

How old is she we might ask – a wee wisp standing in the photographer’s studio wearing the badge, Glengarry, and uniform of the Gordon Highlanders. Standing with her smile and armed with her officer’s cane her innocence is a sharp contrast to those who wore these uniforms in battle.

This type of photography was popular during the Great War and images of children and youngsters can often be seen wearing service tunics. Our girl wears a divisional flash on her left arm, with cuff rank of a Lieutenant and above her left pocket a celluloid button that may feature a red cross. Perhaps she was a participant in a Great War fundraiser. Though unidentified, her face is a symbol of hope for the future, despite the realities of the Great War years.

Smile forever our sweet darling lass.


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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