P. Ferguson image, September 2025.
Summation
To stand in some redoubt of Time – to share again.
Siegfried Sassoon (British soldier poet) whose brother Hamo was lost at Gallipoli.
Our time here is a grand ramble on wise ground – I feel the significance of the ground beneath our feet – a recurrent presence of this earth’s hallowed ground.
P. Ferguson image, September 2025.
Day 8 (22 September 2025): To Home
I have worked through my “of the time” digital notes and images, picking out the memories that add to my expression this last while. Our odyssey on this true footed campaign and trail is led by Gallipoli military historian and author Peter Hart. We revisit old footsteps of our own and those tracks of elden folks. We find new ground (to us) but familiar to that elden generation who speak again with each step taken.
P. Ferguson image, September 2025.
All the while at critical points we are informed of the occurrences in these very spots. Of great assistance to us all is Bulent our Turkish guide who adds the local accent to Peter’s summations. A tag team of historical interpretation that includes the voices of the campaigners here and images from the time. All of us on this wander have something to add perhaps a quote to read, a paragraph or two, stories from their hometown veteran or regiment. Remember to listen…the voices are varied the stories speak to the time.
P. Ferguson image, September 2025.
I concentrate on each step high, low, steep or shallow. It can be easy to tumble here especially walking through treed areas across branches lying in tangles. From bankside to dry stream and back, rock step or ground, solid or loose, inclines, declines these steps of varying heights can with our excitement break our focus. A bit of imbalance and seemingly in step printed slow motion down to the sacred ground.
P. Ferguson image, September 2025.
Being mindful all the while of soldier stories, family stories that survive as legend, myth and truth, operational histories, remembrance, songs and poets. Bringing it together is my attempt to help others become interested. These writings are a blend of all connections…they place you on the ground and set the tone for your walking steps at these sites in the future.
Be well…I have made it through, to trek and write another day…
EPIGRAPH
I HEAR THE VOICE THAT CALLS ME HOME
Able Seaman James Allan McWalter
Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division
Redoubt Cemetery, Helles
4 June 1915
Age 20
P. Ferguson image, September 2025.
From notes written 22 September 2025
—END OF SPOOL—