John (Jack) Simpson Kirkpatrick
John (Jack) Simpson Kirkpatrick was born on the 6th of July 1892. He was born in England, he joined the merchant army at a young age. Though when it reached the shores of Australia, Jack left it. Stuck in Australia with the fare to return to England too high, Jack began to work. He held a variety of jobs, until the war broke out. He signed up immediately rather than using his name he used John Simpson, for fear that the army would not accept a deserter, at just 22 years old Jack set sail. Jack did not want to go to war, rather he signed up for the free ship journey to England. His plan went wrong when the ship went to Egypt instead.
A short time later Jack boarded another ship this one bound for Gallipoli. Jack was a stretcher bearer, as he was strong, fit and young. Upon arrive jack got his stretcher and was almost instantly at work, the Turkish snippers where picking the ANZACS off like flies. Work for all the stretcher bearers never ceased. After a short amount of time the stretchers where abandoned, they were heavy and bulky. It was discovered that you could easier and quicker put the injured over your shoulder.
Donkey’s where brought to Gallipoli to cart water to the soldiers. Somehow Jack found a donkey, he then continued to use the donkey to cart the injured down the deadly cliffs. ‘Simpson’ and his donkey carried over 300 ANZAC’s in the 2 weeks and 5 days he was at Gallipoli. Jack ventured up and down the cliffs hundreds of times. He inspired our soldiers with his determination. His donkey had no particular name, many people say its name was Duffy. Many returned soldiers say had it not been for that man and his donkey, they would have given up a long time ago.
Unfortunately our story comes to an end long before it should have. At 22 years old, Jack had served in Gallipoli for only 2 weeks and 5 days. His life was cut short, a bullet in the back. He died but his legend lives on for hundreds of years, As Charles Bean said ‘his legend was a key part in forming the ANZAC legend’. Jack was nominated to receive a Victoria Cross, he
was not given the medal.
A short time later Jack boarded another ship this one bound for Gallipoli. Jack was a stretcher bearer, as he was strong, fit and young. Upon arrive jack got his stretcher and was almost instantly at work, the Turkish snippers where picking the ANZACS off like flies. Work for all the stretcher bearers never ceased. After a short amount of time the stretchers where abandoned, they were heavy and bulky. It was discovered that you could easier and quicker put the injured over your shoulder.
Donkey’s where brought to Gallipoli to cart water to the soldiers. Somehow Jack found a donkey, he then continued to use the donkey to cart the injured down the deadly cliffs. ‘Simpson’ and his donkey carried over 300 ANZAC’s in the 2 weeks and 5 days he was at Gallipoli. Jack ventured up and down the cliffs hundreds of times. He inspired our soldiers with his determination. His donkey had no particular name, many people say its name was Duffy. Many returned soldiers say had it not been for that man and his donkey, they would have given up a long time ago.
Unfortunately our story comes to an end long before it should have. At 22 years old, Jack had served in Gallipoli for only 2 weeks and 5 days. His life was cut short, a bullet in the back. He died but his legend lives on for hundreds of years, As Charles Bean said ‘his legend was a key part in forming the ANZAC legend’. Jack was nominated to receive a Victoria Cross, he
was not given the medal.
SImpson and his Donkey assisting a wounded solider.
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