Australians of Chinese descent answered the call to defend their home during the First World War. Many overcame discrimination and hurdles intended to keep Chinese and other minorities out of the war effort. Through their persistence and perseverance, they were able to serve alongside their countrymen.
Two hundred Chinese-Australians enlisted from across the country, and of them, nearly forty never made it back. The war effort, however, was not limited to service, and many in the community contributed through taking out war loans to help fund the war efforts.
Click here for Chinese Anzacs Fast Facts - December 2022
The museum will continue adding information on this page as more information about Chinese Anzac soldiers come to light or more photos and objects are donated into the museum’s collections.
If you have family members who are Chinese Anzac or Chinese-Australian WWII soldiers, we would like to hear from you and add their names to our growing list of soldiers. Click here to fill out the information submission form.
The Honour Roll of Chinese and Chinese-Australian soldiers served in WWI. Last updated in May 2021. Read more
The Lepp family served in both World Wars across two generations. Read more
The Shang brothers, Sidney Wah and Duckbour “Caleb” joined the war in 1916 and 1918. Read more
William “Billy” Sing, served from 1914 to 1918 in the 5th Light Horse Regiment. Read more
Benjamin “Ben” Moy Ling served from 1917 to 1919. Read more
Four brothers from the Langtip family were enlisted in 1918. Read more