Memories of Jennifer
Windebank (68 years of age) of her Uncle John (Jack) Turner a world War 1
Veteran.
Uncle Jack knew and often spoke of Simpson and his donkey.
Simpsons name was John (Jack) Simpson Kirkpatrick and was born in England. He landed at Anzac cove on the 25th April 1915 with the Australian troops. The following day whilst carrying wounded soldiers back from the front line he spotted a donkey. He quickly captured and made use of the donkey to transport the wounded soldiers Simpson was well respected by all for his jolly nature and was always ready to go out from the trenches to help his fellow soldiers. He died on 19th May 1915 from machine gun fire.
As a young girl with my cousins listening to Uncle Jack's war stories the significance of Simpson and his donkey was just a story. In my adult years I realised how privileged we were to have heard the legend many times from our Uncle who was there enduring the horror and hardship of Gallipoli. Little did these brave men know that the landing at Gallipoli would herald the dawn of our nation and inspire respect from the enemy and a friendship between two nations that continues today.
The words of Kemal Attaturk written in 1934 and inscribed on the memorial at ANZAC Cove bear testament to this.
Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives......
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore, Rest In Peace
There is no difference between the Mehmets and the Johnnies to us where they lay side by side,
here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers,who sent their sons from far away countries......
Wipe away your tears
Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace
After having lost their lives on this land, they have
Become our sons as well.
Mustapha Kemal Attaturk President of Turkey 1934
Uncle Jack knew and often spoke of Simpson and his donkey.
Simpsons name was John (Jack) Simpson Kirkpatrick and was born in England. He landed at Anzac cove on the 25th April 1915 with the Australian troops. The following day whilst carrying wounded soldiers back from the front line he spotted a donkey. He quickly captured and made use of the donkey to transport the wounded soldiers Simpson was well respected by all for his jolly nature and was always ready to go out from the trenches to help his fellow soldiers. He died on 19th May 1915 from machine gun fire.
As a young girl with my cousins listening to Uncle Jack's war stories the significance of Simpson and his donkey was just a story. In my adult years I realised how privileged we were to have heard the legend many times from our Uncle who was there enduring the horror and hardship of Gallipoli. Little did these brave men know that the landing at Gallipoli would herald the dawn of our nation and inspire respect from the enemy and a friendship between two nations that continues today.
The words of Kemal Attaturk written in 1934 and inscribed on the memorial at ANZAC Cove bear testament to this.
Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives......
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore, Rest In Peace
There is no difference between the Mehmets and the Johnnies to us where they lay side by side,
here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers,who sent their sons from far away countries......
Wipe away your tears
Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace
After having lost their lives on this land, they have
Become our sons as well.
Mustapha Kemal Attaturk President of Turkey 1934
Thanks for sharing Jennifer
ReplyDeleteThankyou for sharing with us your uncle's story. My name is Jim and I'm a member of South Shields Local History Group in the north east of England. South Shields is the home town of John Simpson Kirkpatrick. I'm fascinated by the story of 'The Man with the Donkey' and would be grateful if you could share with us, Jack Turner's regiment at Gallipoli and if possible his regimental number.
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