When Australia was called to arms in the Second World War, the Chinese Australian community again enlisted to join in the defence of Australia. Enlistments were made to all service branches; the Second Australian Imperial Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal Australian Navy, and the Women’s Auxiliary Services. Around 47% of age-eligible men and 4% of age-eligible women from the Chinese Australian community served, highlighting their degree of loyalty and commitment to Australia.
In total, over a thousand enlistments were from Australians with Chinese heritage. Beyond this, more than 550 non-Australian Chinese, made up of refugees and merchant seamen, enlisted for the 7th Army Employment Company, also called the Chinese Labour Corps, to support the war effort as non-combatants.
The museum will continue adding information on this page as more information about Chinese-Australian soldiers in WWII 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.
Phyllis Anguey served with the RAAF Nursing Service from 1940 to 1945. Read more
Eunice enlisted in the Australian Women’s Army Service in 1942 and served as a telegraphist. Read more
Hamilton Chan was enlisted to join in the Australian Army in 1942. Read more
Cyril Kim is one of four Kim family members who enlisted in WWII Read more
Maurice joined the Citizen Military Force after Japan joined the war. Read more
Frank and Ada Goon had eight children, from which six served in WWII. Read more
Samuel John Tongway joined the Australian Army Medical Corps in 1917. Read more
A growing list of Chinese-Australian soldiers in WWII. Read more