John kirkpatrick simpson biography of william

Australian soldier (1892–1915)

For other people with similar names, see John Kirkpatrick (disambiguation) and John Simpson (disambiguation).

John Kirkpatrick (6 July 1892 – 19 May 1915), commonly known as John Simpson, was a stretcher bearer with the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance during the Gallipoli campaign – the Allied attempt to capture Constantinople, capital of the Ottoman Empire, during the First World War.

After the landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915, Simpson used donkeys to provide first aid and carry wounded soldiers to the beach, from where they could be evacuated. He continued this work for three and a half weeks – often under fire – until he was killed by machine-gun fire during the third attack on Anzac Cove.

Simpson and his donkey have become part of the Anzac legend.

Early life

Simpson was born on 6 July 1892 in Eldon Street, Tyne Dock, South Shields,^[1]County Durham, England, to Scottish parents: