Most people know that history fascinates me; It's partly due to the fact that I find the past much more interesting than the present, but also because I have an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Delving into history also teaches me a lot as I believe that many of the answers we seek today and for the future can be found in the past. Humans are a predictable bunch after all.
This brings me to book four in my Lockdown reading series.
The Gallipoli Campaign is one of the darkest in Australia's war-time history. It was an ill-conceived and poorly executed campaign that brought disastrous results in human casualties, and resulted in a defeat. The blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the British command who failed to understand the terrain, the mettle of the defending Turks and the concept that previously-successful military tactics would not be acceptable or appropriate.
For Australia it would prove costly in loss of life however it was the point from which the country galvanised, where the concepts of courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice became more than mere words...And the birthplace of the proud ANZAC legend which lives on today.
Gallipoli Sniper focuses around one main character, William Edward "Billy" Sing, (DCM)
Born in Queensland to an educated English mother and Chinese (coolie) father in 1886 Billy grew up quite rough and his mixed-race ancestry would have made him stand out from most others. He was a kid when the White Australia Policy was adopted in 1901 and times were tough for the bloke. He was subject to many injustices, which he never forgot, even when he returned as a war hero years later.
The book opens with some background on Billy's life, his early days as a champion cricket player to his ability to shoot which was uncanny. He was a drover, expert rider and as tough as old nails; The perfect choice for the Light Horse.
Sing deployed to Gallipoli with the Australian New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) as a Trooper in the Australian 5th Light Horse Regiment. His diminutive 5'5" (165cm) height and part-Chinese descent was overlooked in favour of his attributes, (and the face the ANZAC's needed men.)
Once on the Gallipoli Peninsular Billy was just another Trooper and his part-Chinese background meant nothing. He quickly established himself as gifted behind the gun and together with his Lee–Enfield .303 rifle began to take a heavy toll on the enemy through his sniping.
Both sides used marksmen to hunt, stalk and snipe each other and whilst most were good none were Billy Sing good. He was ruthlessly efficient and at those times he felt sorry for the enemy would remind himself how in the early days of the campaign the Turkish snipers would pick off and target the Australian officers - It hardened his heart and he'd go back to work; And he was good at his job.
The Turks even sent their own champion sniper, nicknamed Abdul the Terrible by the Aussies, out after Billy and in an engrossing section of the book John Hamilton retells the story of that life and death contest between the two snipers. Both spotted each other at the same time after a stalk of several days and Billy made the first shot completing his firing sequence first...And Abdul died. Billy never fired at stretcher-bearers or those recovering wounded however everyone else was fair game - He was a tough bastard.
Hamilton not only opens up on the snipers war and Billy Sing but many facets of the campaign untold until now. He brings the reader into the dust, squalor and blood-soaked trenches of Gallipoli all from the viewpoint of Australia's most deadly sniper.
The book also follows Billy to the Western Front where he was wounded in action on several occasions. He received the Belgian Croix de Guerre for bravery on the battlefield after leading a counter-sniper element in the Battle of Polygon Wood (I've been there, a super eerie place these days!)
Billy's Rifle - Not the exact one of course, unfortunately. This one is mine. It's a World War One Lee Enfield SMLE .303 which was decommissioned from service in 1919. I shoot this sometimes and always wonder if a Turk or German was ever in its sights. I assume so as it served for most of the war. I have it as a keepsake and I also have the matching bayonet which makes it an evil-looking combination.
Billy's sniping record is largely undetermined. Regimental records state 150 confirmed kills, General William Birdwood credits him for 201 however evidence has come to light that his tally was more likely around 300 kills. No matter the number though, Billy Sing distinguished himself on the field of battle and was mentioned in dispatches by General Sir Ian Hamilton (a big deal), received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry on the battlefield plus the Belgian Cross of War as aforementioned.
The 19th May 1943 was Billy's last. He died alone in a boarding house in Brisbane with nearly nothing to his name - There was no sign of the medals in his meagre possessions. His grave at Lutwyche Cemetery, Kedron reads:
AT REST
WILLIAM EDWARD (BILLY) SING (DCM)
Born Clermont Qld. 2–3–1886 — 19–5–1943
Reg. No. 355 Australian Fifth Light Horse Regiment and later the 31st Infantry Battalion
Son of JOHN SING (bn. SHANGHAI) and MARY ANN (nee PUGH bn. ENGLAND)
AND MARRIED FOR A TIME TO ELIZABETH (STEWART) IN EDINBURGH 29–6–1917
A man of all trades, Pte. Sing was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry, the Belgian Croux [sic] De Guerre and mentioned often in despatches. Serving at Gallipoli and in France from 1915–1918, he became known as Australia's most effective marksman/sniper accounting for more than 150 of the opposing forces.
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
I found Gallipoli Sniper - The life of Billy Sing to be quite sad, as I do with most military history books I read. This one hit quite close to home as I'm also born of a mixed race marriage and suffered from some of the racial-prejudiced indecencies Billy did albeit not probably as badly. Billy Sing - Image: Australian War Memorial
It would have been difficult for him back then, but through the bond formed on the battlefield, and his extreme skills behind the long-gun Billy rose above and found his place. It's sad his marriage didn't work out, like so many other veterans marriages don't, and that he died alone, in near-poverty.
John Hamilton brings Australia's deadliest sniper to life in this book and brings the reader a concept of what his life pre and post-military service was like plus transports the reader to the dust and fly-blown trenches of Gallipoli where Billy Sing was at his prime, with his cobbers. (Mates)
War history isn't for everyone, in fact history in general isn't I guess, but this is a solid read and for me, as a long range shooter myself, it was a riveting, if slightly, sad book. I completely enjoyed it though.
So there you have it, book four of lockdown. What's next? Hmm, time will tell.
If you are interested you can read the posts about book one, book two and book three here.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well
