Simpson and His Donkey

A Brave Man and His Donkey

A long time ago before the eruption of World War I, there was an ordinary man who worked as stevedores and on many merchant ships. His name was John Simpson Kirkpatrick: later known as Simpson and his donkey or a hero and his Donkey.

He was born on July 6, 1892 in South Shields, County Durham, England. Although he was only twenty-two when World War I broke out; he enlisted in the Australian Army and was sent to Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. He was appointed to work in the Australian Army Medical Corps and was working as a stretcher-bearer. He was known as "Jack Simpson".

Why was he recognized as a hero and his donkey?

Jack Simpson found a stray donkey and used it to help carry water and wounded front line soldiers to the beach on ANZAC Cove for evacuation. He enthusiastically engaged this work day and night. He never carried any firearms and he never feared to expose himself to the surrounding gunfire, and totally disregarding the danger that his life was in. He carried out his work with confident, whistling the whole time.

Many said that the valley he was passing through with his donkey was one of the deadliest in the valley, constantly being swept with machine gun and rifle fire. Even swimmers in the bay could become casualties, for nowhere could they escape the Turkish machine gun and artillery.

Nevertheless, Jack Simpson continued doing this for three and a half weeks until one morning on May 19, 1915; he was killed by a Turkish machine gun. He was returning at the time from Shrapnel Gully to Monash Valley with two other wounded soldiers. One of these soldiers was also shot and killed, but the other one on the donkey's back survived. The journey of the donkey continued while carrying the wounded soldier until they reached the evacuation. Jack Simpson was buried on the beach at Hell Spit.

This story of Jack Simpson, also known as, A hero and his donkey, became a legend for ANZAC and his story became very significant in Australian History. He epitomised the character of a true soldier, an ardent for his co-soldiers as his bravery was shown to be exceptional. His dauntlessness as a hero soon became a symbol for Australian fortitude in Gallipoli.

He was recommended twice for Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The war diary of the 3rd Field Ambulance acclaimed "his excellence of the work achieved by Pte Simpson continuously since landing", and his name, Jack Simpson, was mentioned in Despatches.

His donkey was famously known as Abdul, Duffy or Murphy.

This article has been provided by Carolyn Whitley. Simpson was an extraordinary man, doing an extraordinary job. An example to us all.

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