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| Trooper Billy Sing, whose father came from Shanghai, seated at his sniping position at Gallipoli, August 1915. AWM C00429 |
When World War One was declared in 1914, Australia rallied behind the Allied efforts.
More than 330,000 mobilised personnel were called to action.
As a new nation, these Australians came from a diverse and multicultural background, with nearly 30% born overseas.
A small proportion were Australians of Chinese descent. Billy Sing, Caleb Shang and Hunter Poon are some of the well-known Chinese-Australians who served in the frontline.
Trooper Billy Sing, of the 5th Australian Light Horse, achieved honours and fame as sniper at Gallipoli, being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his service.
Other stories remain untold.
As the centenary of World War One dawns on Australia, its history and stories are fast slipping from public memory. In the lead up to the centenary of World War One, the Chinese Museum has been researching these untold stories of Chinese-Australian war contributions both at home and abroad. Some of this research will be presented in an exciting new exhibition which seeks to reignite public and community interest in World War One and to present an alternative, community-centred commemoration of World War One which cannot be achieved through history books.
The exhibition runs from the 14th July to December 2014.
For details, click here.
Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee
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