ANZAC HERO REVERED

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 August 1929, Page 2

ANZAC HERO REVERED

RESCUER OF MANY WOUNDED.

South Shields takes great pride in the deeds of one of its sons, the late James Simpson Kirkpatrick, who was also an Anzac. Known at Gallipoli as “the bloke with the donk,” he has in Australia an. honoured immortality. Kirkpatrick was a ship’s fireman born at South Shields in 1892. He went to Australia to seek his fortune and during the war enlisted in Queensland in the Third Field Ambulance as a stretcher-bearer.

Writing of him in an Anzac Day article this year General S. H. Brand, second chief of the Australian General Staff, said: — “After the landing (at Gallipoli), a mob of donkeys left by Greek watercarriers wandered into the gullies to graze. No one bothered about them except this man of the sea, who realised that while two men with a stretcher could transport only one wounded comrade, a man with a donkey <?ould help three away from the firing line. He commandeered a stout donkey, gave it the name of Duffy, and at once began his task of carrying the wounded down Shrapnel Gully. “Sometimes he had two on the donkey’s back and supported another who was able to stagger along. Kirkpatrick was allowed to function as a separate unit, and he repotred to the ambulance once a day. Day and night he laboured, snatching only a few hours’ sleep out of the 24. “Then came a day (May 19) when a new answer had to be given to the perpetual question. The “bloke with the donk” had been killed, and the two wounded men he was succouring were again wounded. The donkey survived the campaign, and left with the troops at the evacuation. “Many of the men who fought on Gallipoli have since told me how Kirkpatrick -and his stubborn little steed shved their lives. In memory I can see them now bravely plodding up the shot-torn gully on theii- mission of mercy. To my mind there is no picture of the war more inspiring. I am glad to know that the war memorial at Ararat will carry a bronze panel showing Kirkpatrick leading the donkey which carries a wounded man. Have the people at South Shields, I wonder, honoured the memory of their gallant son?”

As matter of fact, Kirkpatrick’s gallantry has been properly recognised by his fellow-townsmen. In the museum at the public library there is a striking bronze statuette, depicting the hero rescuing a wounded comrade with the aid of a donkey. The statuette, which is 18in. high, stands on a 4ft. pedestal, and on the wall is a frame containing the particulars of the episode.

fl he statuette, which is the work of Mr. A. Bertram Pegram, was originally exhibited at the Royal Academy. It attracted much attention and was purchased and presented to the South Shields Museum by the Tyne Dock Freemen’s Lodge. Kirkpatrick’s widowed mother resides in the town.