Most Australians know of the iconic ANZAC story of 'Simpson and his donkey'. John Simpson Kirkpatrick was 22 years old when he landed at ANZAC Cove on the 25th April, 1915. Simpson, a stretcher bearer, used a donkey to transport over 300 wounded soldiers from the battlefield at Gallipoli Heights down to the beach for evacuation. Just over three weeks later, Simpson was killed by a shrapnel wound to his heart.
Simpson's donkey was awarded a Purple Cross - the highest award for an animal, but ironically, Simpson was not awarded a Victoria Cross posthumously for his bravery. Simpson has for a long time been a central figure in the ANZC legend and controversy now rages over whether Simpson should be awarded a V.C. posthumously. Find out more about this controversy with the ANZ Reference Centre (Ebsco) Database. Rayyan.
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