John Simpson Kirkpatrick

[j.sabourn]

A readers letter in todays paper obviously by one who has looked up the facts.

John Simpson Kirkpatrick entered Australia illegally in May 1910 by jumping ship from a cargo vessel on which he was working. He enlisted in the Australian army using his middle name instead of his real surname in order to avoid detection. He made clear in letters to family in England ( believe South Shields) that he joined up only to get a free ticket home. He opposed World War 1. He wrote to his mother " what they want in England is a good revolution and that will clear some of these millionaires and Lords and Dukes out of it".
Unarmed ambulance duties under enemy fire, were used by military authorities to punish soldiers known to be opposed to the war. John "Simpson" was killed on May 19th. 1915, just 24 days after the Anzac landing.
was he put in harms way for his anti war sentiments.? End of letter. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

There is in Sheilds as here in Melbourne at the Shrine of Rememberance a statue to Simpson and hios donkey.

It has been recorded that he about 37 soldiers from both sides to field hospitals on the back of his donkey.

He was killed by sniper fire according to the facts in the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance.

There is a town on the Murray river by the name of Moama a Returned Serviceman's League Club.
In this club there is a diarama of battle at Gallipoli. In a glass case near by is the bell from the neck of the donkey Simpson used, it was made from a shell casing.
After the war a soldier brought it back to Oz. He is gone now but he handed it to his son after WW2. When the club opened in 1991 he donated it to them .

[Braid Anderson]

From 'Gallipoli by Les Carlyon
Simpson the man is more interesting than Simpson the legend, and sadder. He was brave; he wasn't a saint. He liked Australia but he was always a Geordie. His heart belonged not to the sunlit plains but to the familiar grime of northern England, to his widowed mother, Sarah, and his sister, Annie.

[John Arton]

Although this is from previous years it will be celebrated this year and every year.
South Shields to hold Anzac Day service | Tyne Tees - ITV News
rgds
JA