A Marksman Remembered: Billy Sing and His Extraordinary Legacy

William “Billy” Sing, one of Australia’s most celebrated ANZAC snipers during World War I, rests in Lutwyche Cemetery. His incredible bravery and skill on the battlefield have made his life a fascinating chapter in the nation’s history. Let’s take a moment to look back at the life of an extraordinary Australian hero whose remarkable story is etched into the history of Brisbane. 


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Born in 1886 to a Chinese father and English mother, Billy grew up in rural Queensland, learning to ride horses and shoot with remarkable skill. Life in the countryside was challenging, and from an early age, Billy assisted his parents with their market garden and milk delivery business.

Photo credit: Australian War Memorial/ awm.gov.au

When war broke out in 1914, he enlisted in the 5th Light Horse Regiment. Retired Major General Darryl Low Choy, patron of the Australian Chinese Ex-Servicemen’s National Reunion, noted that during a predominantly white Anglo-Saxon era, First World War regulations required servicemen to be of substantial European descent. Despite this, Billy Sing enlisted, fully aware his half-Chinese heritage might bar him. However, once in the Army, his origins no longer mattered.

Billy Sing
Soldiers of the 5th Light Horse Regiment, Queensland, ca 1915 Photo credit: State Library of Queensland

He soon earned a fearsome reputation at Gallipoli. Nicknamed “The Assassin,” Billy was credited with over 200 confirmed kills, a feat that garnered him fame across Australia and the world. His incredible marksmanship protected countless lives during the brutal campaign.

Warfare on the Western Front differed greatly from that at Gallipoli, and it’s unlikely that Billy spent much time on the battlefield as a sniper. Even so, his expertise remained valuable. In 1917, he was nominated—though not awarded—the Military Medal for leading an anti-sniper fighting patrol at Polygon Wood in Belgium.

Photo credit: Australian War Memorial/ awm.gov.au

Billy’s contributions earned him numerous awards, including the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. But his post-war years were far less kind. Health problems, financial struggles, and personal setbacks marked his later life, and he moved to Brisbane to be near family.

Billy Sing
Billy Sing’s medals on display at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra (Photo credit: CC BY-SA 4.0/Abraham, B.S./Wikimedia Commons)

In 1943, Billy passed away at age 57, his wartime glory long forgotten by many. Today, his grave at Lutwyche Cemetery stands as a tribute to his incredible wartime achievements, with an inscription that honours his life-saving skill as a sniper:

His incredible accuracy contributed greatly to the preservation of the lives of those with whom he served during a war always remembered for countless acts of valour and tragic carnage.

Billy Sing
Billy Sing’s monument at Lutwyche Cemetery (Photo credit: CC-BY-SA-4.0/ Q8682/ Wikimedia Commons)

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Next time you visit Lutwyche Cemetery, take a moment to find Billy Sing’s resting place and reflect on the legacy of this remarkable figure. His story serves as a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by ordinary Australians.

Published 20-January-2025