White Australia policy no barrier to Queensland man Billy Sing’s World War I feats

He was born William Edward Sing in a small Central Queensland town, but would later become known by many names, including the “Gallipoli Sniper” “Assassin” and “crack shot of the Anzacs.”

It was an unlikely fate for Billy Sing, whose part-Chinese heritage initially prevented him from enlisting with the Australian Imperial Force altogether.

“That’s not an isolated incident,” Veteran and RSL Sunnybank member, Adam Lo, said.

Mr Lo, who is also involved with the Chinese Museum of Queensland, said many Chinese Australians would try their luck at different recruitment centres at the time.