


31st/42nd Battalion The Royal Queensland Regiment
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On Saturday night 20th November 2021 the Kennedy Company of the 31st/42nd Battalion, held a Regimental Dinner at Balgal Beach, some 50 klms north of Townsville. - They invited members of the 31st Battalion Association from each of the branches, including 7 members from Brisbane. Members of the Brisbane Branch also gave a short talk on the Bllly Sing memorial that we arranged in 2015 with a C'wealth Grant of $50,000 and with assistance of Kedron Wavell RSL, Chermside Historical Assoc, Chinese Assoc of Qld & Marchant Ward Councillor, Fiona Hammond. We also gave a handout on Billy's life and service, (see below). On Sunday some of the Brisbane members visited the Museum at Kissing Point 10 years on from from when the plinth was laid on the 125th Anniversary of the birth of the Battalion.![]()
Regimental Dinner –
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Brisbane Branch Members behind the Plinth dedicated on 125th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Kennedy -Regiment in 2011 –
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Members also visited the Museum. It was good to see the Cornet from the original 31st Battalion
donated by A J Cotton of Grandchester before the Battalion left Brisbane for Melbourne & then
to Egypt. Located,repaired & donated to the Battalion Assoc by Peter Nelson at the 125th
Anniversary Dinner in 2011 after being played at Fromelles for the burials in 2010.
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The Brief on Billy Sing DCM MID Croix de Guerre-
– 31st Bn AIF – No 355 Trooper/Private W. E. (Billy) Sing DCM, MID, Croix de Guerre
The Gallipoli Sniper
Originally 5thLight Horse Regiment – Gallipoli – Transferred to 31st Bn – Western Front
Full Story Below:
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Billy Sing Memorial DCM Croix de Guerre Lutwyche Cemetery Brisbane Qld
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EARLY YEARS William Edward “Billy SING” was born in Clermont Q’ld on 2nd March 1886. His father, John SING Drover, was born in Shanghai China. His mother Mary Ann (formally “Pugh”) aged 30y, was born in Kingsford Staffordshire, England. Billy had an elder sister, “Mary Ann Elizabeth”, who was born in 1863 just 2 months before Billy’s parents were married. She died in childbirth in 1915. Billy also had a younger sister Beatrice SING born 1893. Beatrice later married a local Stockman, George Smith in 1917 & went onto have 4 Sons. – Billy’s Mother, Mary Ann, was well educated & a trained Nurse. She ensured her children learned their lessons. The District Inspector of Schools, reported to Brisbane:- “The Children of Mrs. Sing a Chinaman’s wife, invariably win school prizes for academic proficiency.” The Inspector also stated: “The Sing children are bright, intelligent & well behaved, & thoroughly deserving of the honours achieved.” Despite their good conduct, racism against the Sing family in Clermont was rife. – Billy left school around 1898 taking on many jobs in his early years on local Stations, droving both cattle & sheep & other odd jobs. He killed game for food from an early age with a .22 Rifle. He later joined the Clermont Rifle Club to improve his shooting. In 1910 he moved to Proserpine & played cricket for the district, & won prizes for shooting at the Proserpine Rifle Club. – The WAR 1914 – 1918
- Billy joined up in October 1914 as a “Horse Driver” aged 28 years & his mother as NOK. This would have been difficult for Billy, being, “of part Chinese descent”, as he did not fit the criteria to be acceptable into the AIF. It was said that Billy actually was examined by the Doctor in Proserpine, who he would have known through Cricket, who passed him medically fit (Racial grounds included). However he immediately rode to Bowen to enlist as he was not known there to be of Chinese heritage. Billy made his way to Brisbane where he joined the 5th Light Horse Regiment. They arrived in Egypt on 1st Feb 1915. After further training was sent to Gallipoli as reinforcements in May 1915. Billy was known to be a crack shot & was given the freedom to concentrate as a Sniper. Billy soon became notorious at Gallipoli, and was feted by the Generals Bridges & Birdwood. When he was officially credited 201 kills, General Birdwood, awarded him a DCM. It should be noted that Billy’s OC, Major Stephen Midgley, said it was really over 300 kills. However It was General Sir Ian Hamilton who first recognised Billy by Mentioning him in Despatches. This was awarded just prior to being awarded the DCM. - Billy was evacuated wounded from Gallipoli in November 1915 and after recuperation in Egypt, posted to the 31st Inf. Bn in Egypt in June 1916. But again due to illness, did not sail with them to France. He was extremely lucky, as he missed their first major Battle/Slaughter at Fromelles, where the 31st Bn suffered 572 casualties in less than 24 hours. Billy later sailed for England in August, where he spent a further three months in a training Battalion. He sailed for France in late December, joining up with the 31st Bn at Dernancourt near Albert. He started up to the front line in Jan 1917 in the Delville Wood area. He was wounded again in March, between Albert & Bapaume and shipped to Hospital in England. Billy rejoined the 31st Bn in September 1917, just in time for 3rd Battle of Ypres at Polygon Wood in which the 31st Bn took a major role. It was at Polygon Wood that COL Fred Toll, CO of 31st Bn recommended Billy for an MM on 2nd Oct 1917.(this didn’t eventuate) It was also at Polygon Wood that Billy Sing was on a receiving end of a gas shell which provided him with a cough for the rest of his life. Billy was again Mentioned in Despatches by 1 Anzac Corp. Commander General Birdwood. After being in and out of hospital on several occasions, he again returned to the Front with the 31st Bn at Messines in mid Feb. 1918, where he was wounded for the third time. Whilst in Belgium Billy was awarded the Belgian “Croix de Guerre” for conspicuous bravery leading an Anti Sniping Party, during the Battle of Polygon Wood. - Billy Sing, a WW1 hero, died alone, & forgotten, on 19th May 1943, in a small Boarding house at 304 Montague Rd, South Brisbane. He had less than Five Shillings (50 cents) in cash & an old Miners Hut worth $20 to his name. He was buried in a unmarked grave in the Military section at Lutwyche Cemetery. Billy Sing, Australia’s greatest Sniper, lay forgotten in this unmarked grave, in a corner of Lutwyche Cemetery for 51 years until 1994, when four people, organised a Bronze Plaque, to mark his final resting place. Without one of them, the late “Alby Smith,” Billy Sing, might well have been completely forgotten by Australia. - On the eve of Anzac Day 1993 an Article appeared in the Brisbane Courier Mail, written by Brian Tate, an amateur Historian and part time journalist from Ballina. For several years Brian had been corresponding with Alby Smith, an Arms expert, who had been collecting data on Billy Sing for 35 years. Alby Smith worked as a Senior Technical Officer with 4 Armaments Engineering Unit in Melbourne. He had developed a new Sniper rifle for the Army & unsuccessfully proposed it to be called the “Billy Sing” Rifle. - A month after Brian Tate’s article appeared in the Courier Mail, Don Cameron, a long serving Federal member of Parliament, anonymously donated a Bronze Plaque, which was erected on the side of a Carpet Warehouse, at 304 Montague Rd South Brisbane, where Billy Sing had died. Shortly after Don Cameron & Alby Smith, travelled to Clermont, where they met Billy Sing’s – Great Nephew, - Don Smith. Together they organised Funds to be raised for a memorial to be erected in Clermont. A few months later Don Cameron, Don Smith, Alby Smith & Brian Tate each contributed towards a fund to have a Bronze Plaque placed on Billy’s Grave. - Although Billy Sing made his name as the famous, “Gallipoli Sniper” whilst serving with the 5th Light Horse Regiment in Gallipoli, he actually served most of his WW1 service with the 31st Battalion AIF on the Western Front. Billy Sing’s Medals are on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. - On the 19th May 2012 members of the 31st Bn Assoc. Together with members of, - The Chinese Australian Historical Assoc., - Kedron Wavell Sub Branch RSL, - Chermside & District Historical Society, & Councillor Fiona King held a Memorial Service at Billy Sing’s Grave Site at Lutwyche Cemetery. Don Cameron & Brian Tate, were both present. Guest Speaker was Major General Darryl Low Choy. (Past Digger of 51 Bn Innisfail) Over sixty people were in attendance. - A year later, Ex Senator Bill O’Chee arranged for a submission for a Grant of $50,000 from the Federal Governments Centenary of WW1, - Fund, which was subsequently approved. Ray Fogg, President of the 31st Bn Assoc. (Brisbane Branch), led a Committee, to organise, design, & construction of a fitting Memorial. Ray worked almost full time for months on the project. All credit is due to his contribution. On the 19th May 2015 a magnificent Monument was dedicated near Billy Sing’s grave at a Parade of past members of the 31st Bn, - a Guard of 2/14th QMI - Historical Troop, - members from the Chinese Australian Historical Assoc. Including interstate members, - Kedron Wavell RSL Sub Branch Members, - Chermside & District Historical Society - and a large gathering of VIP’s, - special guests, politicians, and the general public. Don Cameron & Billy Sing’s Great Nephew Don Smith from Clermont were present. - A fitting closure to a WW1 hero, who has been recognised as Australia’s greatest Sniper, a man who defied racial prejudice to serve his Country, and would have lain forgotten, had it not been for:- Don Cameron, Alby Smith, Brian Tate, & great Nephew, Don Smith. And of course later by members of Billy’s old Unit, – The 31st Battalion, - Bill O’Chee, & the Chinese Aust. Historical Assoc, - Kedron Wavell RSL Sub Branch, - Chermside & District Historical Society, & Brisbane City Councillor, Fiona King. - Tony Wadeson (Secretary 31st Bn Assoc. Brisbane) - Info:- Book “Gallipoli Sniper” by John Hamilton - Our Member Doug Hastie passed through Clermont on his way back to Brisbane from the Regimental dinnerand stopped to take several pictures of the memorial to Billy Sing in the local park: -Billy Sing DCM Croix de Guerre (Belgium) Memorial in Clermont Qld -
Memorial at Clermont Qld -
Memorial Clermont Qld -
Memorial Clermont Qld -
Memorial Park Clermont Qld -
Thanks to Our Honorary Member in France, Pterre Seillier, for the Tribute Image at the Head
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ODE FOR THE FALLEN
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With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Ode by Laurence Biniyon (1869 – 1943)
Reserve Forces Day Function, – held on Wed. 13th Oct. 2021 at the The Lord Mayor’s Function Room Brisbane City Hall. – Approx. 60 people invited by the Lord Mayor attended. The Lord Mayor has a Mayoral Function each year in recognition of the Reserve Forces contribution to the City of Brisbane. The Function is usually held close to 1st July (Reserve Forces Day). Unfortunately due to Covid -19 disruptions at the time the Function had to be postponed to 13th October.
Members of the RESERVE FORCES DAY COMMITTEE – S.E. Q’ld. – From Left to Right –
Pipe Major Rolly McCartney, (National Service Pipes & Drums Memorial Band) – RAY FOGG (Pres. 31st Bn Assoc. – Brisbane) – TONY WADESON (Sec. 31st Bn Assoc. – Brisbane) – Drum Major – SQNLDR Dennis Deering – (National Service Pipes & Drums Memorial Band)
TONY adds the following:
The Drum Major & Pipe Major were a great help to us at Our Battle of Fromelles Commemoration Service held in Ipswich – 19th July this year. Regards Tony
The former Commander 11th Brigade has recently been appointed to Command the 2nd Division
Major General David Thomae assumed command of the 2nd Division on 17 July 2021.
Major General Thomae joined the Army in 1985, graduating from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1988 to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. His regimental service has been with the 2nd/4th Battalion and 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, 16th Battalion, The Royal Western Australian Regiment, 25th Battalion and 9th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment, which he commanded in 2007-08.
Major General Thomae’s senior leadership roles have been as Commander Joint Task Group 629.3, Commander 11th Brigade and immediately prior as the Adjutant General – Army. As a Colonel, he served as Colonel Projects Headquarters 1st Division, Director of Studies (Reserves), Australian Command and Staff College and Assistant Commander Training, 11th Brigade.
His operational experience includes being a military observer with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation in Lebanon and Syria, rifle company commander in the 6th Battalion Battle Group with the United Nations Transitional Administration East Timor and as Senior Military Advisor to the Special Representative to the Secretary General, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. Recently he was Commander Joint Task Group 629.3 as part of Operation COVID19 ASSIST, the task group supporting the Australian Defence Force’s response to the COVID19 pandemic.
In addition to his command and senior leadership roles, Major General Thomae gained broad experience across Army in a range of staff, training and representational duties, including as an instructor at the School of Infantry and the Queensland University Regiment, Aide de Camp to General Officer Commanding Training Command, as an operations and plans officer at Headquarters 1st Division and as a staff officer with the Directorate of Reserve Soldier Career Management.
Major General Thomae is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Laws from the Queensland University of Technology, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Australian National University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland, and a Master of International Relations from the University of Queensland. He has completed the Joint Task Force Commander Course conducted by Joint Operations Command.
In 2021 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his command and leadership in the senior appointments of Adjutant General – Army, Commander 11th Brigade and Commander Joint Task Group 629.3. Additionally, he was awarded a Chief of Defence Force Commendation for his leadership as a company commander in East Timor and a General Officer Commanding Commendation for his leadership as an instructor at the School of Infantry.
Since 2003, he has been a commercial barrister practicing at the Queensland Bar. He is a nationally accredited mediator and is a member of the Bar Association of Queensland’s, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. In January 2018, he was appointed as a Senior Member (part time) to the Veterans’ Review Board, the statutory tribunal reviewing decisions of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Major General Thomae is married to Nicole, a global knowledge manager for EY. They have three children. He enjoys cycling, sailing and golf in his free time.
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To the men and women of the Battalion,
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No doubt our leadership will post something soon regarding the situation in Afghanistan, however in readiness for that message I would like to offer the following:
Whilst we are all shocked at the speed in which the ANA and the Afghan government capitulated as evidenced in the Taliban taking Kabul, we must not be down-heartened or entertain any thought that we have been defeated and that the sacrifice made by our mates was for nothing. We all went into that conflict under the hope that our efforts were in the best interest of the Afghani people. We all hoped that we would be creating a strong democratic government that would represent the best interests of the collective ethnic communities within Afghanistan that was supported by a strong and corrupt free ANP and ANA. We did it to stop the horrific acts of ethnic cleansing as well as provide opportunities to all Afghani people regardless of their gender. We did it to disrupt Islamic terrorism freedom of manoeuvre. We did it out of hope, and whilst we were there, I personally saw that ‘we were making a difference’. We also did it to demonstrate what the Australian people stand for… and that’s worth fighting for.
It was not for nothing!
Team – lets get around and support each other.
The thoughts of the RSM and I are with you all.
LTCOL Dave Gandy | Commanding Officer | 31st/42nd Royal Queensland Regiment
Semper Paratus Defendere / Cede Nulius
VALE, – KEN SELLARS. – Members & Friends, George Stanger has advised us of the passing of his life long friend, Charters Towers stalwart , & renowned Country Cricketer, & passed member of the 31st Bn – Kennedy Regt. & later member of the the Association (Brisbane Branch) – Ken Sellars. Ken passed away on the night of Saturday 17th July. A family funeral was held at Mudgeerebah on Friday 23rd July. Please refer to the attached “Brief” written by his close Friend – George Stanger.
Ken Sellars – Rest in Peace. Tony
Vale Ken Sellars
Ken Sellars was born in Charters Towers on 25th November 1932. He attended both the Charters Towers, State Primary and Secondary Schools. Ken was a good sportsman but was always keen on Cricket. His batting skills came to the fore early, at a very young age, scoring 104 runs in a match between Boys Central & Richmond Hill primary schools.
In 1949 Ken started work as a clerk at the State aged Care Facility, – Eventide Homes in Charters Towers. He progressed to Manager of this Institution and finished his working life as Manager of the Brighton State Aged Care facility Brisbane.
Ken joined the Army Reserve (Then CMF) – The 31st Bn – Kennedy Regiment in 1950. He received his call up for National service, and attended the first intake at Wacol in 1951. He completed his National Service obligation with the 31st Bn achieving the Rank of Sergeant.
Kens proficiency with the cricket bat continued, and indeed grew significantly. After he left school, although only very young, he was a member of the Charters Towers First Eleven and became a fixture. He was selected in the – North Queensland Colts Team to play in Brisbane and scored a century (another 104) against a Brisbane side. Ken held every position on the Charters Towers Cricket Association Executive. He had a big hand in the establishment and conduct of the “Goldfield Ashes” said to be the biggest of its type in the world. (Still going today). Of course he also starred as a player and attained many awards. He and his brother Neal wrote a book about this competition, which was widely read. Many notable players, State and International have taken part in the in the Ashes. I recall a visit by Dougy Walters, which Ken related to me in great detail. Let’s just say that Dougy enjoyed the visit very much
Ken married his wife Pam, and they had five sons, Glen, Geoffrey, Michael, Paul, and Nick. When Ken moved to Brisbane, he did a lot of volunteer work in the memorabilia section of the Queensland Cricket Association at Albion for quite a few years.
Ken joined the 31st Bn Association in Brisbane, but by then had moved to the Gold Coast to live, and this restricted his attendance to many of our functions.
Ken, had an enjoyable and fruitful life, and was well liked and respected by his friends.
Rest in Peace, my friend.
George Stanger.
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(George and Ken, grew up and attended school together in Charters Towers, they did their National Service together in the first Intake 1951 & served in the 31st Bn in the early days. They were Life Long friends.)
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Tribute Plaque to Ken Sellars by Pierre Seillier
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The Annual Commemorative service of The 31st Battalion and The 42nd Battalion The Royal Queensland Regiment was held on the 26th July 2021. The Church Service was conducted in St James Cathedral in Townsville. Adedication ceremony was held at the grave site of William Edward McIlwaine and his wife Alice at the Townsville Cemetery. Edward McIlwaine was a soldier of WW1 and a well remembered North Queensland Identity. The colours of both the 31st Battalion and the 42nd Battalion were in the Cathedral for the Service.Current Serving Members of 31st/42nd Battalion were well Represented -
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Association Members from Ingham were strongly represented at the Service -
Brigadier Bruce Scott at Dedication Service at Townsville Cemetery
The above photo shows (left to Right) The pastor Dr Kenneth Lay, Mr Lux Foot ( Decendent of Alice McIlwaine), Brigadier Bruce Scott, and Mr Eric Christie (NQ Rifle Assn)
Bugler is Kevin Blackford formally one of our soldiers in C Coy 31 RQR Ingham -
Grave site of Alice and Willian "Edward" McIlwaine
Plaque on Grave of Alice and Edward McIlwaine