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The set of pictures below , are to do with James Simpson Kirkpatrick , the world famous " Man with the Donkey " who was an ANZAC . The Monument is in Ocean Rd , near ASDA . I suspect the folks of Shields know little about him , but in Australia he is a national hero , but they find it hard to accept he is British .During World War 1 at Gallipolli (Turkey), he and "Duffy " the donkey made countless trips over a period of 3 weeks , taking wounded men from the battlefront to the seashore where they could be treated . He used other donkeys , but Duffy was his favourite .No one told him to do it . All of the time they were both under murderous fire from the Turkish troops and several of his donkeys were killed , and eventually he was shot in the back by a Sniper on Wednesday May 19 1915 while rescuing two wounded soldiers ~ a Very, Very brave man indeed and many owed their life to him and "Duffy " . All in all they helped about 300 soldiers , both ANZAC`s and Turks down to the Beach. He was nominated for a VC , but the British Government did not grant it on a "technicality" - a total disgrace . In 2005 , the Australian Government are reviewing his case with a view to awarding him the Australian VC . Lets hope they do .
It is not clear what happened to "Duffy", some say he was killed with Jack , but this is unlikely , as no witnesses at the time mention it . Previously Duffy had been fed and looked after by an Indian Battalion , and they said they took him back to base but at sometime he was stolen and nobody knows what happened to him . Some say he was taken by an Australian Battalion back to Australia and lived a long and happy life - I hope so ..... If you want to know more about this exceptional man , go to my Links page .
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Above: John Simpson Kirkpatrick aged 21(1913) . Born July 6 1892 at 10 South Eldon St. - Died May 19 1915 Aged 23 .Right : The only authenticated picture of JSK and Duffy . Note Duffy`s headgear and lead are made from bandages as he did not have any equipment .The donkey has no saddle , so the wounded had to hold on to Jack . Also his Forage cap is worn not in line , but across his head . The sign of an individualist - he had to do his own "thing" .
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Jack with one of his donkeys and a
wounded soldier . Note by this time he had made a saddle out of sacking .
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| J.S Kirkpatricks headstone at Anzac Cove , Gallipoli . |
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| As a boy JSK helped Mr George ( on the right ) with his Donkey rides on Shields beach . | JSK's first job was as a Milk boy , delivering fresh milk in Churns . This is his milk float pulled by "Andrew" , who he loved . | |||
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| JSK's Mother Sarah | JSK's favourite sister Annie when 17 in 1912 | |||
