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John Simpson Kirkpatrick was born on the 6th of July 1892 in South Shields, England.
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As a child growing up, each summer young John worked at Murphy's Fair, providing donkey rides for the children for a penny a ride. John, known commonly as Jack, looked after the donkeys from 7.30 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. when he would ride one the 2 miles to his home. The animals responded well to his gentle, kind manner, he seemed to have an instinctive attachment with them.
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On the 25th of August, 1914, at the age of 22 years and 1 month, Simpson jumped ship from the "SS Yankalilla" in Fremantle, and enlisted in Perth just 3 weeks after the outbreak of World War 1.
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Prior to joining up he dropped Kirkpatrick from his name and took on Simpson as his surname possible because a deserter from the Merchant Marines may not be accepted into the army.
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Simpson, a big strong lad, was allotted to the Field Ambulance as a stretcher bearer.
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Simpson had hoped that, by joining the army, he might get a free trip back home to England which was where the initial Australian force were destined to go for their basic training. They were diverted to Egypt when it was realised that England wasn't prepared for this large colonial force.
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Just before dawn, at about 5.00 a.m. on Sunday April the 25th 1915, Simpson and his section leapt from the landing boat and waded ashore. Simpson was the second man in the water. The first and third men were killed. Casualties on the first day were appalling. Of the 1500 men in the first wave, 755 remained in active service at the end of the day. The remainder were killed or wounded. Those that did remain were badly affected by the shortage of food and particularly water in the sub-tropical sun
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There was also a shortage of stretchers, medical equipment and supplies. Stretcher parties were reduced from 6 men to 2. They improvised as best they could and worked all day tending to the wounded and carrying them down to the Casualty Clearing Stations on the beach at ANZAC Cove.
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By dawn on the second day the ANZAC's were holding onto a 500 acre piece of ground. The Turks held the high ground and looked down into the ANZAC position at almost every angle. Stretcher parties were under constant rifle and artillery fire.
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Several donkeys were landed and some had been abandoned and were grazing in the wild overgrown gullies. Simpson, having already carried two heavy men down from the front lines, responded to a call from a wounded man. He had by this time been reported missing, saw a donkey grazing nearby and decided to use the donkey to help carry him to the beach.
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The donkey responded to the sure touch of the friendly man with the experience gained at Murphys Fair as a young man back in South Shields.
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There was no saddle, stirrups or reins. Simpson made a head stall and lead from bandages and field dressings for this first trip. He lifted the wounded man onto the donkey and held onto him as he guided the donkey to the beach
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From this day on Simpson decided to act as an independent unit. He did not report back to ambulance headquarters for instructions and for the first 4 days was technically a deserter until his CO (Commanding Officer), seeing the value of his work, agreed to turn a blind eye and approved his actions.
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Simpson and his donkey would make their way up Shrapnel Gully, the main supply route to the front line, into Monash Valley and onto the deadly zone around Quinn's Post where the opposing trenches were just 15 yards apart.
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To the left of Quinn's Post was Dead Man's Ridge, held by the Turks. From here they were able to snipe right down Shrapnel Gully.
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Simpson would start his day as early as 6.30 a.m. and often continue until as late as 3.00 a.m. He made the one and a half mile trip, through sniper fire and shrapnel, 12-15 times a day. He would leave his donkey under cover, whilst he went forward to collect the injured. On the return journey he would bring water for the wounded.
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He never hesitated or stopped, even under the most furious shrapnel fire and was frequently warned of the dangers ahead but invariably replied "my troubles".
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Simpson was mortally wounded in Shrapnel Gully, near the mouth of Monash Valley, on the 19th of May 1915 at the age of 22
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During the 24 days he spent at ANZAC he operated as a sole unit with his beloved donkey/s and is credited with saving the lives of probably hundreds of men.
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He has become a part of the ANZAC folklore and though recommended for the Victoria Cross, twice, and the Distinguished Conduct Medal, he was never decorated for his actions.
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WP1 will find you in the grounds of the Echuca-Moama RSL Club. Before you set about finding the cache, I suggest you enter the club and have a look at the diorama just past the reception desk. Simpson can be seen “doing what he did best”, and the diorama shows the battle scene and the difficult terrain that our soldiers had to contend with.
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Now to the cache…
At WP1 You will need to examine the artillery gun. It is a relic of days past (thankfully). Clearly marked on it is a Jacket number. L/ABCD
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The cache can be found at
S 36º 06.BB(D-C-2)
E 144º 43.D(C-1)(A+1)
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As usual, please be aware of muggles, and ensure the container is replaced carefully. Kids regularly play in this area. It would be a shame if this cache was muggled because of a lack of care.
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