Was it bravery or compassion that drove John Simpson Kirkpatrick? Here at the Simpson and His Donkey Statue, we remember a man who became a legend. The statue, a memorial to Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick, depicts him with his loyal donkey. It’s a smaller version of the original, which stands proudly at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. The inscription on the base tells us Simpson’s story. He landed at Gallipoli on April 25th, 1915, with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. But he wasn’t fighting on the front lines. Instead, he chose a different path, one of mercy. Simpson used his donkey to ferry water to thirsty soldiers and to carry wounded men back from the deadly slopes of Shrapnel Gully. For three weeks, he tirelessly traversed the battlefield, risking his own life to save others, becoming a symbol of the Anzac spirit. Sadly, his compassionate mission was cut short. On May 19th, 1915, Simpson and his donkey were killed by a shell. He was just 22 years old. Although he wasn’t Australian, his story of courage and selflessness resonated deeply. Today, the Simpson and His Donkey Statue serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in war and the enduring power of compassion, even in the darkest of times.
Kororoit Creek
Is this where the river meets the sea? This is Kororoit Creek. It flows right here through Melbourne’s western suburbs