Obituaries Australia

Billy Sing, c.1918

Australian War Memorial, P03633-006

William Edward Sing, sniper of World War with a "bag” of 150 Turks, died suddenly in Brisbane a fortnight ago. Sing was awarded the D.C.M. and the Croix de Guerre. He was a member of the Fifth Light Horse Regiment and was detailed for sniping with several others in the Gallipoli campaign in 1915. His exceptional patience and excellent eye-sight said his former commander, Brigadier-General L. C. Wilson, made his performance unequalled in the regiment. A special post was built for him overlooking the Turkish lines at a range of 150 400 yards. After a face glimpsed at a loophole had been focussed by the observer with him he would watch for any length of time with his rifle sighted until the man appeared again. In this way he had a ‘bag’ of at least 150 Turks, for which he won the D.C.M. Subsequently he was sent to England sick. He was then transferred to France, where he won the Croix de Guerre.

‘Proserpine Guardian' says: Old hands of Proserpine will remember Billy Sing. He was residing here when World War I. broke out and enlisted from Proserpine. He was a smart athlete, and competed in most of the sporting fixtures of that time. He cut cane on several farms in this district. He returned to Proserpine at the conclusion of hostilities, but only remained here for a short period. He went back to the Clermont district, his home town.

The deceased was well known to Bowenites of the period and was a familiar competitor at local sports against local athletes of the period.