World War One 'donkey' hero honoured in South Shields Published duration 19 May 2015

image copyright Unknown image caption Pte Kirkpatrick served as a stretcher bearer and used his donkey to carry injured soldiers from the frontline

A World War One hero known as "The Man with the Donkey" has been honoured in his home town by officials from the other side of the world.

Pte John Simpson Kirkpatrick rescued more than 300 wounded Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Gallipoli in 1915.

A service marking the centenary of his death was held in South Shields.

Guests included the Australian high commissioner and the deputy commissioner of New Zealand.

Pte Kirkpatrick served as a stretcher-bearer and used his donkey to carry injured soldiers from the frontline to the beach for evacuation during ANZAC operations in Gallipoli during World War One.

For three weeks he defied orders for ambulancemen not to go out when enemy fire was at its worst, but was killed by a Turkish sniper on 19 May 1915.

Local dignitaries, army personnel and schoolchildren took part in the service at a bronze statue of Pte Kirkpatrick on Ocean Road.

image caption A wreath was placed at the bronze statue on Ocean Road

Australian high commissioner Alexander Downer said: "For us as Australians - even though he was, of course, originally British - he is a great national hero."

He said the service had been very moving.

"This was a man who risked his life, every hour, every day... he was a hero of great stature," he said.

"He was the bravest soldier never to win a Victoria Cross."

Although twice recommended for the Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Conduct Medal, he was never decorated for his actions.

However, his donkey was posthumously awarded a Purple Cross - the highest award available for animals - by the RSPCA.

Following the service, a new war memorial was unveiled on Littlehaven Promenade, which overlooks the seafront where Pte Kirkpatrick worked on the donkey rides as a young boy during the summer holidays.