- On this day in 1915. John Simpson Kirkpatrick, the man who heroically rescued 300 wounded soldiers with a donkey at Gallipoli, is killed. He was born on the 6th of July in 1892 in South Shields, Country Durham, England. He was a stretcher bearer with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC’s) at Gallipoli during World War I. He went under the name of ‘Jack Simpson’. Simpson began his journey’s from the beach, up Shrapnel Gully and then Monash Valley, carrying water on his way up and wounded soldiers on his way back. He continued this for three and a half weeks. He was killed on the 19th of May 1915 by Turkish machine gun fire near Steele’s Post as he was returning down Monash Valley with 2 wounded men. One man was shot with Simpson but the man on the donkey’s back was still alive. The donkey continued on the well worn track, carrying the wounded soldier to where he would be treated.
I first heard of this great mans story this year on ANZAC Day. “Lest We Forget”.
Please feel free to add your piece of history (something personal or just general history).
John Simpson Kirkpatrick (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Simpson and his donkey supporting a wounded man. This statue (1987-1988) by Peter Corlett, is located outside the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Add Your Piece of History 
every Australian student was taught about Simpson and his donkey at school but not these days. History is something that should be taught still but it is not. Shamefully
I agree! We are glad that we could teach this piece of history to our girls this year on ANZAC Day. Thank you so much for your comment, we really do appreciate it.
09history – I wish I had a first name – this sounds so impersonal… We all have a history and you encourage us to share ours… our histories form the glue that holds our families together and I’m proud to nominate you for the Word Press Family Award. As a member of the Word Press Family, you have shown me that there is a love for the stories we tell about our families – confirmation for me. Thank you. Check out the Award, the meaning and the process at http://greatestgenerationlessons.wordpress.com
Thank you so much Judy for nominating us for the Word Press Family Award! Everybody’s history is important, it makes us all who we are today. We are very honoured that you thought of us for this award, so thank you again, Emma
I believe on this day in 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington.
Thank you so much Juliann for adding a piece of history! My apologies, I wrote about this yesterday, 18th May. It looks so beautiful for something that can cause so much destruction.
Thank you for following my blog OldMainer. It made me aware of yours which I look forward to following as well. Welcome.
Thank you so much! I really enjoyed your post titled Reflections. As time goes on I realise I am much more accepting of myself. Thank you so much and I look forward to following you along.