An award-winning filmmaker who received worldwide acclaim for a short First World War drama is returning with a new documentary.
Thomas Gardner, 26, of Windermere, won 15 international awards for his short film The Fronts of War and his new film will focus on the Second World War – and his relatives’ experiences.
Thomas will focus on George Gardner, a Regimental Sergeant Major in The 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment in the Second, who was killed in the Allied Invasion of Sicily in 1943. He is buried at the war cemetery in Syracuse, Italy.
George’s brother, John Edward Gardner, was killed while on active service in the UK on April 20 1044.
Thomas said: “I was around 12 or 13 when I first heard about The Border Regiment and my relatives’ involvement within it. I have always had a keen interest in history and near enough all of my films have focused on aspects of both The First and Second World Wars.
“My grandma had shown me a book which my grandad had found in a charity shop which detailed the history of the regiment and when I discovered one of my relatives had died in a crucial invasion in 1943, that peaked my interest further. I am going to enjoy learning more about his role within the war and the impact his actions had.”
The untitled documentary is currently in its pre-production stages, Thomas said.
