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Good morning.

For lots of Australians and New Zealanders, Anzac Day is about national identity and pride – an identity forged in the desperate conflict of faraway Gallipoli just over a century ago. Visiting the battlefields recently I saw the gravestone of Private John Simpson, a legendary hero of the campaign, known to his fellow soldiers as ‘The Man with the Donkey’.

He had been born John Kirkpatrick in South Shields but left for Australia in 1909.  At the outbreak of World War One he enlisted, thinking this would enable him to get home and see his family. Unfortunately the new war front in the Dardanelles got in his way and on April 25th 1915 he and his Field Ambulance colleagues landed on Anzac beach to heavy enemy fire. Simpson quickly found a donkey, and started regular journeys through Shrapnel Gulley to the Valley of Death. He would travel up with water and supplies and return with wounded men.

News of Simpson’s exploits spread quickly. It seemed incredible that he and Murphy – the donkey – had not been hit. Simpson impressed everyone with his cheerfulness and bravery. People talked of the medals he ought to get.

Then, on May 19th, after more than three weeks of death defying exploits, Simpson was struck by an enemy sniper’s bullet and died. His commanding officer said it would be hard to pin down one act for which to award him a Victoria Cross as he had done so many brave things.

Simpson never received a medal. Perhaps the fact he was hardly a model soldier played a part in that. He was an unconventional warrior – resistant to army discipline, defying uniform rules, showing a free if not rebellious spirit. But he embodied a resourceful courage that can still inspire others.

Even though we walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death we know that you, God, are with us.

Amen