THE STORY OF JOHN SIMPSON AND HIS DONKEY

It is very fitting that one of the most celebrated diggers in Australia folklawwas a larrikin by the name of John Simpson who saved the lives of hundreds of men by disregarding his orders and his own safety

Simpson joined the army three weeks after the outbreakof World War I. A big strapping lad he was alloted to the Field Ambulance as a stretcher bearer. 8 months later he landed at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli. Of the 1500 men who landed in the first wave,755 remained in active service at the end of the day.The sheer number of casualties necessitated that stretcher bearing parties be reduced in size from 6 to 2

Acting alone ,Simpson spied a deserted donkey in the wild overgrown gullies. He decided to use it to help carry wounded men to the beach and from then on ,he and his donkey acted as an independent team.In stead of reporting to his unit,Simpson camped with the 21st Kohat Indian Mountain Artillery Battery which had many mules and nicknamed Simpson "Bahadur," the "bravest of the brave".

For the first 4 days he was technically a deserter until his CO ,seeing the value of his work turned a blind eye and approved his actions .

Simpson would start his day at 6-30a.m.and often continued until 3-00a.m.He made the one and a half mile trip, through sniper fire 12-15 times a day.On his return jouney he would bring water for the wounded. He never hesitated or stopped even under the most furious shrapnel fire and when warned of the dangers ahead would reply "my troubles"

After gaining an aura of someone with devine protection. Simpson was killed..He was subsequently recommended for the Victoria cross, twice, and the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Padre George Green ,who lead Simpsons Burial service said , If ever a man deserved the Victoria Cross it was Simpson. I often remember now the scene I saw frequently in Shrapnel Gully ,of that cheerful soul calmly walking down the gully with a red cross armlet tied round the donkeys head .That gully was under direct fire from the enemy almost all the time.

Although Simpson had the respect of all those who knew him, his larrikin ways did not endear him to the authorities, thus all nominations for post humous decoration ,have been declined .,