South Tyneside comes together to pay tribute to the ANZAC heroes
South Tyneside has marked ANZAC Day with its annual memorial service.
South Tyneside residents have gathered together to honour the courage and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
A remembrance service was held in South Shields Town Centre to commemorate ANZAC Day (Friday, April 24), which marks the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings during the First World War.
Among those remembered is South Shields-born Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick, who is famously known as ‘The Man with the Donkey’.
Private Kirkpatrick served during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915, where he repeatedly risked his life to rescue wounded Australian and New Zealand soldiers from the frontline.
Using his donkey, the 22-year-old carried more than 300 injured men to safety before being killed by a sniper’s bullet on May 19, 1915.
Memorial service in South Shields
A special service led by the Deputy Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Shane Smith, was held at the memorial statue on Ocean Road.
It included a one-minute silence, the sounding of The Last Post and Reveille, and the laying of wreaths on behalf of the people of South Tyneside.
Father Mark Mawhinney conducted the service, which was attended by local dignitaries, representatives of military organisations, the Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear Colonel Christopher Tearney, and pupils from Stanhope Primary School.
The Deputy Mayor said: “It was a privilege to join the people of South Tyneside on ANZAC Day to honour the bravery of John Simpson Kirkpatrick and to remember all those who lost their lives at Gallipoli.
“John Simpson Kirkpatrick was a son of South Shields and remains a much‑loved local hero. We are proud to come together each year to pay tribute to him and to his comrades.
Highly regarded
Kirkpatrick’s story continues to be told across generations and to this day, he remains highly regarded in Australia.
There is so much regard for him that his bravery is taught to schoolchildren.
The Deputy Mayor added: “He is rightly remembered as a national hero in Australia.
“While the Gallipoli campaign was one of the Allies’ greatest losses during the First World War, it is also remembered for the extraordinary courage shown by the Anzac troops.
“ANZAC Day offers us all a chance to pause, reflect, and remember John Simpson Kirkpatrick, his fellow soldiers, and the sacrifices they made.”