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Murphy the Hero Donkey: A true WW1 story
The remarkable true story of an amazing and loyal donkey during World War I.
The true story of a small grey donkey called Murphy, chosen to be a trusty ‘ambulance’ during the bloody Gallipoli campaign in 1915. He carried wounded soldiers over the hilly,craggy terrain to the field hospital as the bombs and snipers’ bullets rained down. The donkey was recruited by Australian stretcher-bearer ‘Jack’ Simpson, who cared for his brave helper day and night. Murphy never gave up or complained; he worked to the point of exhaustion, saving hundreds of lives.
At the end of the battle, when the time came for the donkeys to be returned to Greece, the Australian ‘diggers’ were desperate to protect Murphy - he was one of them, he was a digger and a war hero. They fixed a brown luggage label to his harness, bearing his name and status, and hoped it would secure his safe passage home.
The true story of a small grey donkey called Murphy, chosen to be a trusty ‘ambulance’ during the bloody Gallipoli campaign in 1915. He carried wounded soldiers over the hilly,craggy terrain to the field hospital as the bombs and snipers’ bullets rained down. The donkey was recruited by Australian stretcher-bearer ‘Jack’ Simpson, who cared for his brave helper day and night. Murphy never gave up or complained; he worked to the point of exhaustion, saving hundreds of lives.
At the end of the battle, when the time came for the donkeys to be returned to Greece, the Australian ‘diggers’ were desperate to protect Murphy - he was one of them, he was a digger and a war hero. They fixed a brown luggage label to his harness, bearing his name and status, and hoped it would secure his safe passage home.
- GenresHistory
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2015
57 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Isabel George
26 books18 followersIsabel George, the international bestselling author of Buster: The Military Dog Who Saved a Thousand Lives, writes with a passion and respect for animals in war. A writer and journalist Isabel's work has appeared in the Daily Mail, Daily Express, Guardian Weekend, various pet magazines and women's consumer magazines such as Living and SHE.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 6, 2020
The perfect story for such uncertain times. Really turned the taps on (if you understand my meaning) & helped me escape for a while. Can read easily in one evening.
May 22, 2017
One of the most upsetting and reckless campaigns of World War I was the idea to start a front in the Dardanelles advocated by among others Winston Churchill and synominus with failure - Gallipoli,
The daily loss of life made for a constant demand for stretcher bearers; but in difficult terrain amid constant snipping and enemy barrages casualties were close to death when they reach the aid station.
A young soldier had the idea to use a donkey taxi, and a plucky little creature was pressed into service, named Murphy and ultimately considered a four-legged ambulance.
This is the true story of that mule who carried his burden with great energy and credited with saving hundreds of wounded soldiers in the process.
It is remarkable how a simple animal can excel in such difficulties, a lack of food and water, heavy gunfire and bombings as well as the constant annoyance of pests like flies and lice.
The partnership Murphy strikes up with his original handler is quite endearing and reflects those wonderful relationships between a human and an animal of trust and co-dependence. That others longed for Murphy and other donkeys to be evacuated along with the man when the futility of their efforts was finally acknowledged is a tribute to the appreciation these beasts of burden gained.
That the relationship was later immortalised by Australian and New Zealand veterans when remembering the battles and fallen comrades show something special occurred.
This wonderful short story reveals those actions and demonstrates the bond we otherwise can't explain.
The daily loss of life made for a constant demand for stretcher bearers; but in difficult terrain amid constant snipping and enemy barrages casualties were close to death when they reach the aid station.
A young soldier had the idea to use a donkey taxi, and a plucky little creature was pressed into service, named Murphy and ultimately considered a four-legged ambulance.
This is the true story of that mule who carried his burden with great energy and credited with saving hundreds of wounded soldiers in the process.
It is remarkable how a simple animal can excel in such difficulties, a lack of food and water, heavy gunfire and bombings as well as the constant annoyance of pests like flies and lice.
The partnership Murphy strikes up with his original handler is quite endearing and reflects those wonderful relationships between a human and an animal of trust and co-dependence. That others longed for Murphy and other donkeys to be evacuated along with the man when the futility of their efforts was finally acknowledged is a tribute to the appreciation these beasts of burden gained.
That the relationship was later immortalised by Australian and New Zealand veterans when remembering the battles and fallen comrades show something special occurred.
This wonderful short story reveals those actions and demonstrates the bond we otherwise can't explain.
October 24, 2019
An interesting take on what had happened at Anzac Gove
While there is definitely poetic licence going on this story, it still cannot hide the horrors that are war, and far worse on animals as they never chose to go, as men did.
My great uncle died on that beach, and it must have been terrible - the smell, the sickness, etc.
Sad that there were donkeys there though, as they are animal that are always so keen to please, that they will literally work themselves to death.
I think that’s something so many people don’t realise about a donkey. Most animals when hurt or exhausted will just stop, or move only under a whip or the like. Not so with a donkey.
While there is definitely poetic licence going on this story, it still cannot hide the horrors that are war, and far worse on animals as they never chose to go, as men did.
My great uncle died on that beach, and it must have been terrible - the smell, the sickness, etc.
Sad that there were donkeys there though, as they are animal that are always so keen to please, that they will literally work themselves to death.
I think that’s something so many people don’t realise about a donkey. Most animals when hurt or exhausted will just stop, or move only under a whip or the like. Not so with a donkey.
December 20, 2025
A short but great read. Jack and his donkey, Murphy, saved a lot of lives in 1915 during WW 1. Jack saw this small donkey and realized he could use him to transport the injured soldiers to safety instead of using a stretcher. They worked well together to bring hundreds of soldiers to safety. Not a pleasant read from a war aspect, but James and Murphy were a great team that brought a little ray of light to those in need.
May 21, 2017
Murphy the hero
A love!y short story. An easy read. I'd love to know what happened to Murphy at the end, he was a courageous animal. What a hero I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
A love!y short story. An easy read. I'd love to know what happened to Murphy at the end, he was a courageous animal. What a hero I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
July 13, 2017
Good book
It was a short true story. Enjoyed it! Really like the story of a donkey that helped in a war.
It was a short true story. Enjoyed it! Really like the story of a donkey that helped in a war.
September 3, 2018
A moving short story that I read all at one go from cover to cover. I would recommend this book even if you don’t normally read war stories.
March 16, 2015
BRAVE LITTLE FELLOW
This makes you marvel at the courage this little donkey had and the trust he had in his handlers through this difficult time.
This makes you marvel at the courage this little donkey had and the trust he had in his handlers through this difficult time.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews