Medallion : Private W E Sing, 5 Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Fifteen carat gold medallion in the shape of a cross surrounded by thistles and surmounted by a crown. In the centre of the medallion is a shield engraved with a sniper. The reverse is engraved with the words 'Prestd by C. O.'MALLEY to W.E. SING. FOR WORK DONE Gallipoli' and is stamped with the maker's details 'IMP' and a gold hallmark. The medallion is suspended from a 15ct gold bow engraved with flowers which has a brooch pin on the back. Stamped on the reverse of the bow are the maker's details 'W&S' and a gold hallmark.

William Edward 'Billy' Sing was born in Clermont, Queensland, in March 1886 to a Chinese father and English mother. He was a member of the Proserpine Rifle Club and a horse driver when he enlisted as a Private in the AIF on 26 October 1914. Assigned to 5 Light Horse Regiment, Sing embarked from Australia on 20 December 1914 and arrived at Gallipoli on 16 May 1915. In June, his regiment was moved from the south side of Bolton's Ridge to Chatham's Post and it was here that Sing earned his reputation as the 'crack shot of the Anzacs.'

Regimental orders list Sing as having at least 150 confirmed kills between May and September 1915. Army Corps Routine Orders for 23 October 1915 record that Sing, 'in performing his duty at a sniping post, has accounted for 201 casualties to the enemy. This excellent record has only been attained by vigilance, resource and good shooting, and it is hoped that Trooper Sing's example will be followed by other snipers.' On 29 February 1916, he was Mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Ian Hamilton. Sing was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) in March 1916.

After the evacuation of Gallipoli, Sing transferred to 31 Battalion in July 1916 and sailed for France. During the Battle of Polygon Wood in September 1917, Sing led a fighting patrol that successfully eliminated German snipers. For this action he was recommended for the Military Medal but instead received a Mention in Despatches. He was awarded the Belgium Croix de Guerre in early 1918.

Sing was wounded in action several times. He was shot on two occasions (once on Gallipoli and once in France), sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs and his back, and was gassed. He was hospitalised in August 1915 with influenza and contracted rheumatism and mumps during his war service.

Sing returned to Australia in July 1918 for submarine guard duty, but was discharged as permanently unfit for duty on 23 November 1918. Following his discharge, Sing went home to Queensland and turned his hand to sheep farming and then gold mining, but neither venture was successful. His final days were spent in relative poverty and anonymity and he died in a Brisbane boarding house on 19 May 1943.