In Their Footsteps

Bombarier Ronald and Private Ernest Cavalier (1x3)

Air date: May 22, 2011

Gallipoli is Australia’s most commemorated battleground, etched deeply into the national psyche. It is also woven deeply into Josh Cavalier’s family story; both his grandfather and great grandfather fought among those unforgiving beaches and cliffs. Now, Josh, a 30-year-old IT technician from Shepparton, VIC., will fully comprehend what they endured and why it has left such an imprint on his family and his country. Josh embarks on his journey to Gallipoli with his own poignant father and son story. His dad, Brian, left home when Josh was just an infant. Distance and addiction kept Brian out of Josh’s life till he was an adult and in recent times they are finding a way back from the lost years. Josh believes to understand his father; he must first understand his dad’s father’s World War I experiences. Josh does not go far before he discovers there is much more to this journey than he ever anticipated. This is a tender story about a son’s search into his father’s past, to map out a path for their future together. Along the way, Josh’s journey offers a fresh look at Gallipoli and the way it shaped families and an entire nation.