Tributes Paid to War Heroes on Anzac Day

The people of South Tyneside came together to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at a special ANZAC Day service held today (Friday 25 April).

Anzac Day is a National Day of Remembrance commemorating those who fought in the battle of Gallipoli during the First World War, including South Shields-born Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick, known as 'The Man with the Donkey.'

To mark the occasion, a special service took place at the John Simpson Kirkpatrick memorial statue in Ocean Road, South Shields Town Centre.

The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Fay Cunningham was joined by the Mayoress, Stella Matthewson to lead the service, which included a one-minute silence, renditions of The Last Post and Reveille and wreaths laid on behalf of the people of the Borough.

It was conducted by Father Mark Mawhinney and attended by local dignitaries and military organisations as well as the Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Wing Commander David L. Harris, the High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear, Jo Curry. South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck, Councillor Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, Deputy Leader Councillor Jane Carter and Lead Member Councillor Paul Dean also paid tribute.

Kirkpatrick risked his own life to rescue more than 300 wounded Australian and New Zealand soldier from the frontline during the Gallipoli campaign of 1915. He carried the soldiers to safety using his trusted donkey until he was killed at the age of 22 by a sniper's bullet on 19 May 1915.

The Mayor said: "The Mayoress and I were honoured to join the people of South Tyneside to pay tribute on Anzac Day to remember John Simpson Kirkpatrick for his incredible bravery and commemorate all the service personnel who lost their lives at Gallipoli.

"Kirkpatrick was a son of South Shields. He's a local hero and we were so proud to honour him and his comrades in this way."

Kirkpatrick's bravery continues to inspire generations of people and he is still highly regarded in Australia where his amazing story is told to schoolchildren.

Councillor Paul Dean, Lead Member for Voluntary Sector, Partnerships and Equalities and Chair of South Tyneside Armed Forces Forum, added: "John Simpson Kirkpatrick is rightly a national hero in Australia for his bravery at Gallipoli.

"The Gallipoli campaign was one of the Allies' great military disasters in the First World War, but it also stands out for the incredible bravery of the Anzac troops.

"Anzac Day gives us all an opportunity to take a moment of quiet reflection in memory of John Simpson Kirkpatrick, his comrades and the sacrifices they made."