Courage and Compassion: A Stretcher-Bearer's Journey From No-man's Land and Beyond by Don Farrands QC

Book Description

Secondhand. As new condition.

This is the story of a young Australian soldier whose life of opportunity was challenged by trauma and salvaged by strength.

Nelson Ferguson, from Ballarat, was a stretcher-bearer on the Western Front in France in World War I. He survived the dangers of stretcher-bearing in some of Australia’s most horrific battles: the Somme, Bullecourt, Ypres and Villers-Bretonneux.

In April 1918, at Villers-Bretonneux, he was severely gassed. His eyes were traumatised, and his lungs were damaged. Upon his return home, he met and married Madeline, the love of his life, started a family, and resumed his career teaching art. But eventually, the effects of the mustard gas claimed his eyesight, ending his career.

Courageously enduring this consequence of war, he continued contributing to society by assisting his son and son-in-law in their stained-glass window business. Advances in medicine finally restored his sight in 1968, allowing him to appreciate the beauty around him again, before his death in 1976.

The story of this Anzac will stir your soul. It is a story of war, bravery, pain, strength, hope, and miracles. (back cover)