John Simpson Kirkpatrick

John Simpson, aged 21 (www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090613b.htm)

John Simpson Kirkpatrick (also known as "the man and his donkey") was born on the 6th July 1892. He worked with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) as a stretcher bearer during World War I at Gallipoli. He landed on ANZAC cove on April 25th 1915 and was the second man in the water. On that night he took a donkey and from then until he died he carried the wounded to the beach from the battle line to be evacuated. Until he was killed, he continued to do this, often under gun fire. The University of Adelaide awarded him an honorary Doctorate in Theology in 1919.

Simpson and his donkey carrying a wounded solider (http://ink.news.com.au/mercury/anzac/album/images/anzac2_jpg.jpg)

Starting at 6:30 am and finishing in the early hours of the morning, Simpson made one and a half mile trips to the battlefield, often under sniper fire. He would make this trip 12-15 times a day. He never hesitated to make the dangerous journey to the battle line. He was shot and buried on the 19th May 1915 at Hell Spit; his grave was marked with a simple cross reading "John Simpson."

Simpson's memorial stone (google images)

What made John Simpson Kirkpatrick a hero you ask? His qualities are quite clear; he risked his life to help others and he resulted in saving about three hundred lives. His unquestionable bravery. Not many would take on such a risky task. Travelling through dangerous territory, each time not sure if you'd see the beach again. He went out of his way to save others' lives, even if it meant losing his own. Even to the point where he was known by the Indians as "Bahadur" meaning "bravest of the brave." To the troops he was known as "Scotty," "Murphy," "Simmie" and "the man with the donk."

John Simpson to me showed every characteristic of a hero, he truly was a hero of the ANZAC's.