Dust Donkeys and Delusions

The Myth of Simpson and his Donkey Exposed

Wilson Graham

"Dust, Donkeys and Delusion" examines and clinically debunks the myth that has grown up around Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick, the so-called "Man with the Donkey", the quintessential Australian "hero" of Gallipoli. While the various elements of the Simpson myth have now become popularly accepted as "history", "Dust, Donkeys and Delusion" shows clearly, based on historical documents, both official and unofficial, that almost every word ever spoken or written about Simpson following his death is false.

About the Author

Graham Wilson served 26 years in the Australian Regular Army, retiring in 1996 as a Warrant Officer Intelligence Analyst. Following five years as a civilian intelligence officer in the Department of Defence, he transferred to the Defence Department's Directorate of Honours and Awards where he worked for 10 years in the support and policy areas; the latter as Staff Officer Historical Research. Graham retired from the Public Service in February 2011 and now works as a historian.

Graham is active in a number of historical and militaria societies and is a prolific author of historical articles; he has been published in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the USA and has received a number of awards for military history writing.. Graham lives in Canberra with his wife Sharon, a retired Chief Petty Officer of the Royal Australian Navy, and their Bichoodle "Ralph".

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