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: The Daily Telegraph, 25 April 2017)   

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, some donkeys 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: The Daily Telegraph, 25 April 2017)

Carrying ammunition, supplies and water

Riding donkeys

POLO Matches & RACING

SIGHTSEEING

COMMEMORATION

On 19 May 1997, the Australian RSPCA posthumously awarded the Purple Cross Award to Simpson's donkey, Murphy, and all the other donkeys used by Simpson, for their work during the Gallipoli campaign. (Source: Wikipedia: RSPCA Australia)