The Man and His Donkey - John Simpson Kirkpatrick
John Simpson Kirkpatrick has emerged as one of the most unlikely of war heroes. His legacy is used to signify the spirit of those serving in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). During World War I, the ANZACs first major campaign was against the Ottoman Empire. They were called upon to help defend Britain's interest in the Middle East and protect the Suez Canal. Thousands of ANZAC soldiers died during the campaign, including Kirkpatrick. His courage, physical strength, and reckless disregard for the rules however, helped Kirkpatrick achieve a legend outshining any other Australian war hero.
Early Life John Simpson Kirkpatrick was born as Jack Kirkpatrick on July 6, 1892 in South Shields, County Durham, England. His parents were of Scottish descent and had moved to England just a few years before Kirkpatrick's birth. His father, Robert Kirkpatrick, was a Merchant Navy caption while his mother, Sarah Simpson, was a domestic housekeeper. Kirkpatrick grew up in a large poor family, and they often switched homes during his youth. John had three surviving sisters: three brothers had died from scarlet fever, and an older sister passed away while John was only 8-years old. By the time John was 13, his father had become incapacitated and John left school to help the family survive. John gained employment delivering milk as a milk-float boy, a job he continued for several years. John became particularly attached to his pony used to carry the milk-float. He also displayed a love for rabbits and pigeons, keeping both as pets. During the summers, John worked as a donkey lad, giving young children donkey rides on the beach. While still a teenager, John volunteered for the Royal Field Artillery, a part of the British Army. John and other teenagers trained during weekends as coastal defense gunners and attended an annual training camp. By 1909 the crippled Robert Kirkpatrick had passed away. The 17 year old John decided to leave home to earn a better wage to help support his family. John joined up with the Merchant Navy where he worked as a stoker and steward. At the age of 18, while onboard the SS Yeddo, John decided to jump ship. The ship had sailed to Newcastle, Australia and John wandered around the country working odd jobs. Many of his jobs involved working on Australian coastal shipping vessels as a steward or greaser. John also worked in cutting cane, coal mining, and cattle droving. Arrival at ANZAC John regularly wrote home to his mother and sister and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on August 25, 1914 to get passage home. He believed like many others did at the time, that they would be dispatched to France to help fight against the Germans. This would allow John a chance to go home and see his family. With Turkey entering the war however, the ANZACs were dispatched to launch an attack against Turkey. After training in Cairo, Egypt for several months, the allied troops landed on Gallipoli peninsula on April 25, 1915. Due to a navigational error, they landed in a savage area of terrain known as ANZAC cove. The ANZAC cove was several miles north of where the troops were meant to land and gave the Turks the ability to see and shoot down on the allied troops.
Simpson Finds a Donkey
John was very physically fit and had been given the position of a stretcher-bearer for the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance. The men were taught to carry the stretchers with four men; however, stretchers were few and far between. In addition, there were not enough men for the four man carry. Stretcher-bearers either worked in teams of two or carried the wounded down over their shoulders.
Jack had already carried down two heavy men, when he responded to a request for aid from a soldier. Near the soldier was a wandering donkey and Jack realized the donkey could be used to carry the wounded man back down to the beach. To complete the first journey, John created a brindle from bandages, and held onto the man as he walked beside the donkey. Later he used ropes to lead the donkey, while bags and blankets functioned as a saddle. In total, Jack used four different donkeys known as Duffy, Murphy, Abdul, and Queen Elizabeth. The Daily Routine Simpson and his donkey often started their days at 6:30 am. They would set out across Shrapnel Gulley, the main supply route leading into the Monash Valley. Simpson and his donkey were by no means protected; they faced constant sniper fire during the one and a half mile journey. Simpson would take water to the troops on his way up, bringing back the injured on his return trip. Leaving his donkey under dense cover, Simpson ventured out to wounded soldiers, throwing them over his back before dashing into cover. Under cover, he would administer first aid and load the injured onto his donkey. Simpson would then lead the donkey back down the beach so the injured could receive further medical treatment. Simpson carried back those with leg or head wounds, as they were able to remain seated on the donkey. Working 18 hour days, he would make between 12 to 15 trips daily. Simpson the Man Simpson was of muscular build, standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall, with blue eyes and blonde hair. From all accounts, Simpson was a popular and well liked soldier. The Indian troops he camped with called him the "bravest of the brave." His fellow soldiers described Simpson as being fun loving, generous, and with a witty sense of humor, but without a fondness for discipline or rules. In fact, Simpson was no stranger to acting against orders. When he originally found the donkey and began using him to transport wounded soldiers Simpson had been reported as a deserter. Simpson also went out with his donkey when orders had been posted for the ambulance man not to go out because of heavy gunfire from the enemy. While transporting the wounded, Jack often smiled, whistled, and sung. Jack dismissed warnings from his superior and other soldiers over the danger he faced. The Last Day For Simpson the morning of May 19, 1915 began normally. While transporting an injured soldier he briefly talked with several other soldiers and received warning of a Turkish sniper firing in his part of the gully. Simpson simply acknowledged the warning and went on his way. A few minutes later, Simpson was hit with a bullet through the heart, dying almost instantly. His fellow soldiers buried him on the beach at Hell Spit and placed a simple wooden cross on his grave. John was aged 22, and had only been at ANZAC cove for 24 days when he died. A Legend Since his death, Kirkpatrick has been frequently honored and has been elevated to iconic status. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli, Simpson and his donkey were featured on postage stamps. Affectionately known as "the man with the donkey," several statues of Simpson are located around Australia, including one outside the Australian War Memorial. At his birthplace in South Shields, a bronze statue of Simpson and his donkey is erected. ANZAC Day Australian Dictionary of Biography Australian War Memorial Not Only a Hero Simpson and his Donkey Gallipoli Experience of Simpson FirstWorldWar.com John Simpson Kirkpatrick - the Man with the Donkey Australia's Favorite Hero The Learning Federation Early Life of Kirkpatrick National Archives of Australia
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