South Tyneside Pays Tribute on Anzac Day - South Tyneside Council
On Thursday 25 April, a unique ANZAC Day service was organized to pay homage to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps by the South Tyneside locals.
Anzac Day is a special day for remembering the brave soldiers who fought in the Gallipoli battle during the First World War. One of these heroes was Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick, a native of South Shields, who is famously known as 'The Man with the Donkey.'
A ceremony was held at the memorial statue of John Simpson Kirkpatrick located in Ocean Road, South Shields Town Centre to commemorate the event.
The person in charge of the South Tyneside area, Councillor John McCabe, had some important guests with him during a big gathering. The Mayoress, Julie McCabe, and the Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Col. Ann Clouston, helped to lead the ceremony, which involved a moment of quiet, the playing of some special music, and the laying of wreaths. These wreaths were there to represent the people who live in that part of town.
The event was organized by Father Mark Mawhinney and was attended by important people from the community, military groups, and kids from Lord Blyton and Stanhope elementary schools.
Kirkpatrick put himself in danger to save over 300 injured soldiers from Australia and New Zealand while fighting in Gallipoli back in 1915. He relied on his trusty donkey to carry the soldiers to a safe space, but unfortunately, he lost his life at the hands of a sniper's bullet at just 22 years old on May 19th of that same year.
People have been continuously inspired by his courageous acts and he remains greatly respected in Australia, where schoolchildren are taught about his remarkable tale.
The Mayor stated that it was a privilege to show respect to John Simpson Kirkpatrick for his exceptional courage and to commemorate all the military personnel who perished at Gallipoli.
The Anzac troops displayed exceptional courage in the Gallipoli campaign, which is known as one of the major military failures for the Allies during the First World War.
Kirkpatrick, who is originally from South Shields, is recognized as one of the most heroic individuals in Australia. We felt a great sense of pride in commemorating and paying tribute to him and his fellow soldiers in this manner.
The Mayor paid tribute to Kirkpatrick by placing a commemorative wreath at the Gallipoli memorial located at Littlehaven Promenade. The memorial was introduced in 2015 to honor Kirkpatrick's memory on the 100th anniversary of his demise.
Updated: 25th April 2024 at 4:39 PM
