FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 1= 96.
PRIVATE SIMPSON'S WAR RELICS
Statement by the Prime % inister, the Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Menzies. L
The war relics of Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick
" The Man with the Donkey" have been presented to the Australian
War Museum. They are the gift of' his sister, Mrs. Annie Simpson
Pearson of Brightlingsea, Essex, who has said that they should
remain the property of her late brother's beloved Australia*
They comprise Private Simpson's identity disc, his
service medals and ribbons, his Oak Leaf and scroll for his
Mention in Despatches and a bronze medal presented after his
death by King George V.
The story of " The Man with the Donkey" is well known
throughout Australia and Private Simpson has been honoured by
the erection of a statue near the Shrine of Remembrance in
Melbourne6 A replica of this statue is on display in the Anzac
Gallery of the War Museum in Canberra and his war relics will be
placed with it.
CANBERRA, 21st April 1965.
FOR PRESS: PM 39/1965 - PRIVATE SIMPSON'S WAR RELICS - STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RT. HON. SIR ROBERT MENZIES
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