Gallipoli hero home as Anzac spirit shines

A century after storming the beaches at Gallipoli, Billy Sing has returned to Clermont.

Clermont resident Anna Nicholson created a sculpture of Gallipoli sniper and Clermont resident William "Billy" Sing to commemorate Anzac Day during the coronavirus pandemic.

WILLIAM "Billy" Sing is once again standing to attention in his Central Queensland home town more than a century after storming the beaches at Gallipoli.

The WWI veteran was a hero to the residents of the cattle and mining town and the inspiration for Clermont mother Anna Nicholson.

Clermont resident William 'Billy' Sing became known as 'The Gallipoli Sniper' during WWI.

When Anzac ceremonies fell victim to the coronavirus pandemic, Ms Nicholson said she wanted to do something to keep the spirit alive.

"I just wanted to do something in our community to take peoples' minds off everything," Ms Nicholson said.

By rolling and moulding chicken wire, Ms Nicholson created a life size model of the WWI sniper.

Clermont resident Anna Nicholson created a sculpture of Gallipoli sniper and Clermont resident William "Billy" Sing to commemorate Anzac Day during the coronavirus pandemic.

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He stands with a wooden gun in his hands and a red poppy on his chest.

Ms Nicholson said it would remind everyone of Australian soldiers' sacrifice.

"As the generations go on it gets harder to imagine what the soldiers went through," she said.

"One day a year we come together and remember.

"I hope he inspires more people to get into the Anzac spirit,"

Other Clermont residents had made their own at-home vigils, with residents covering letter boxes and driveways in poppies, she said.

Clermont resident Anna Nicholson created a sculpture of Gallipoli sniper and Clermont resident William "Billy" Sing to commemorate Anzac Day during the coronavirus pandemic.

After posting pictures of Billy on Facebook, Ms Nicholson said the story spread everywhere.

She has decided to auction off the work, with all proceeds to go to the Clermont and Proserpine RSL branches.

For more information, visit the Anna Nicholson's Anzac Sculpture Facebook page.

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