| Regimental number | 202 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Shields, Co Durham, England |
| Place of birth | South Shields, England |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Ship's fireman |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Simpson, 14 Bertram Street, South Shields, Durham, England |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Blackboy Hill, Western Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 3rd Field Ambulance, C Squadron |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 26/46/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A7 Medic on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 3rd Field Ambulance |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', Supplement, No. 29354 (5 November 1915); 'Commonwealth Gazette', No. 12 (27 January 1916). |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll) | True family name: KIRKPATRICK, John Simpson |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 22 |
| Place of burial | Beach Cemetery (Plot I, Row F, Grave No. 1), Gallipoli, Turkey |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 183 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Robert and Sarah Simpson KIRKPATRICK, 14 Bertram Street, South Shields, England |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli 'The man with the donkey', Simpson was perhaps the most famous Anzac of all. He landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, and until his death used a donkey to transport wounded men to the beach for medical treatment. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | True name: John Simpson KIRKPATRICK |
| Sources | I. Benson, 'The Man with the Donkey' (London, 1965) 'Australian Dictionary of Biography', vol. 9. |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
