The role that donkeys and other animals have played in war was commemorated on 24 February 2018 by NZ's first Purple Poppy Day which was held at the National Army Museum in Waiouru. A New Zealand War Animal Memorial was unveiled to acknowledge the animals that served alongside NZ and Australian troops abroad. "These include horses, donkeys, camels, dogs, pigeons, the occasional cat and even glow-worms, which were used as a light-source in the tunnels of Arras in the WWI." (Source RNZ: Remembering the four-legged cavalry). This DigitalNZ story commemorates those donkeys that were used as various forms of transport by NZ and its Allies. 

Off to War

During World War I, the Allies obtained donkeys from Egypt and the Greek islands of Imbros and Lemnos, to use for transporting weapons and supplies from  landing craft to frontline troops at Gallipoli. (Source: Troy Lennon (25 April 2017), "Gallipoli forces were saved by their asses",  The Daily Telegraph.) 

Donkeys were also used during World War II to transport ammunition, supplies, and medical equipment in terrain inaccessible to vehicles, such as Greece, Italy, North Africa and the Middle East.   

Mascots

There were many cases of soldiers adopting an animal mascot. Moses, an Egyptian donkey, was the mascot of the New Zealand Army Service Company in France. The School Journal (June 2014) says: “A mascot was a symbol for the regiment. It was also a friend and companion, like a pet. It added humour and fun to everyday life. A mascot was good for morale because it cheered up the soldiers... Some people even think that mascots bring good luck and help to achieve success.”  

Conveying the wounded

During the Gallipoli landings, several donkeys brought from Egypt and the Greek islands by Allies to help transport supplies from the ships managed to escape. One was captured by a private in the Australian Army, Jack Simpson (Englishman John Simpson Kirkpatrick), who was a stretcher-bearer. Simpson named his donkey Murphy and painted a red cross on a white armband which he fixed between it's ears. Murphy was used to carry lightly wounded soldiers from the front lines.  Simpson added other donkeys and inspired others to also use them as stretcher-bearers. (Source: Troy Lennon (25 April 2017), "Gallipoli forces were saved by their asses",  The Daily Telegraph.)

Carrying ammunition, supplies and water

Riding donkeys

Polo matches & Racing

Sightseeing

Commemoration

In 1988, a bronze statue, ‘Simpson and his donkey, 1915’, by Peter Corlett was unveiled at the Australian War  Memorial in Canberra. See image: Australian War Memorial: Simpson and his donkey, 1915. 

Purple Cross Award

The Purple Cross Award for animal bravery was instituted by the Australian RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in 1996. The award was named after the Purple Cross Society, which was established during WWI to provide equipment for the Light Horse Brigade. On 19 May 1997, it was posthumously awarded to Simpson's donkey, Murphy, and all the other donkeys for their work alongside Anzac troops during the Gallipoli campaign. (Source: Wikipedia: RSPCA Australia)

Purple Poppy Day held on 24 Feb since 2018

On 24 February 2018, the New Zealand War Animal Memorial was unveiled at the National Army Museum in Waiouru. It was gifted by the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation and American artist Susan Bahary. As a symbol of remembrance, a purple poppy was worn to commemorate the role animals have played in war. Since then, Purple Poppy Day is commemorated annually on 24 February at the National Army Museum. Events are also held at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington and the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum at Devonport. (See: War animals and the purple poppy, Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage, updated 19-Feb-2025)

This DigitalNZ story was updated in April 2026