Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick & His DonkeyPrint Page

The wood sculpture commemorates Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick (1892 -1915) and his donkey who served at Gallipoli during World War One.

Twenty-two years old, English-born and a trade union activist, John Simpson Kirkpatrick was an unlikely figure to become a national hero. Having deserted from the merchant navy in 1910, he tramped around Australia and worked in a variety of jobs.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), expecting this would give him the chance to get back to England; instead, Private Simpson found himself at ANZAC Cove on 25 April 1915, and was killed less than four weeks later. Instructed to recover and help the wounded he undertook this work enthusiastically. Famously, he used a small donkey to carry men down from the front line, often exposing himself to fire. The bravery of this "man with the donkey" soon became the most prominent symbol of Australian courage and tenacity on Gallipoli.

Simpson’s story became a powerful propaganda tool for enlistment in Australia, but following the war he was quickly forgotten.

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