Simpson And His Donkey
The Sunday Age
Sunday April 27, 2008
Simpson And His Donkey
Mark Greenwood; ills., Frane LessacWalker Books, $27.95Jack and Billy grew up in the back lanes of Tyne Dock, where a river "carried great ships out to sea". These two boys would grow up and play a significant part in the history of Gallipoli. When soldiers made that dreadful climb up the "rugged, clay-faced cliffs", Jack was there. Later, he would help wounded soldiers to lifeboats and, when stretchers ran out, Jack and his donkey would rescue more than 300 soldiers - one of whom was Billy, his mate from Tyne Dock. Jack was shot in the back one morning as he ventured up to Dead Man's Ridge to look for wounded men. Frane Lessac's palette - sky blues, intense greens and earthy browns - complements this deftly condensed story of extraordinary heroism.
© 2008 The Sunday Age