Forgotten legacy: Untold stories of Chinese Anzacs remembered

A new exhibition is shedding light on the untold stories of more than 200 Chinese Anzacs who served during the Great War.

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Ben's enlistment portrait in 1917 (Supplied)

As the centenary of World War One approaches, the soldiers who fought on the front lines are being honoured.
 
Like many other Chinese Australians, Benjamin Moy Ling served with the Australian army.

His relative, Chris Shai-Hee is grateful for Ben Moy Ling's efforts.

"People like Ben and all his friends stepped up and went to war even though they knew the horrors of Gallipoli and France," Mr Shai-Hee told SBS.


A second generation Chinese Australian, Ben was originally refused permission to enlist because legislation at the time required an individual to be of "substantial European origin".
But many recruiters overlooked that rule to allow Chinese and Indigenous soldiers into the ranks.
 
Ben persevered and now his war efforts are being acknowledged in a new exhibition at the Chinese Museum in Melbourne.
 
"Quite often we hear the story of the Anglo-Celtic tradition in Australia and how they were involved in the First World War," said Marcus Schutenko, CEO of the Chinese Museum.
 
"It's very interesting to hear how the Chinese Australians were also involved."

It's estimated more than 200 Chinese Australians fought for Australia in the Great War. Of those that enlisted, 40 never returned home.

Researchers hope exhibitions like this will boost awareness of the sacrifice of the Chinese Anzacs.
 
"These Chinese Australians saw themselves as Australian, they saw themselves as Aussies," said researcher at the Chinese Museum, Ed Chiu.
 
"As Ben Moy Ling said, 'if it's good enough to live in it's good enough to fight for.'"

Ben Moy Ling went on to found the Young Chinese League in Melbourne, his time in service not forgotten by his family.
 
"When the war ended he was in France," said Chris Shai-Hee.  "He was one of the lucky ones he came home to his family, he was very lucky,"


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By Hannah Sinclair


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