Anglo-Egyptian War: John Joseph Shying

The earliest Chinese-Australian serviceman is Sergeant John Joseph Shying who served with the New South Wales Contingent to the Anglo-Sudan War (Mahdist War) in the Sudan in 1885.

John Joseph Shying (born 22nd December 1844), enrolled with Sydney Battalion Volunteer Rifles, No.5 Company, when just 19. He was the grandson of Chinese carpenter Mak Sai Pang (aka Mak Sai Ying and many other names) . More than 20 years later he was one of the first to enlist in the Sudan contingent.

Shying’s grandfather, Mak Sai Pang came to Sydney 1818. His actual surname is Mak, but someone stuffed up along the way and his surname became Shying (anglicised version of Sai Ying).  He married Sarah Ferguson in 1823. Sarah was a free settler who came with her convict mother.  This would make John Joseph only a quarter Chinese, but it is still significant because he was the first, and also because he had a Chinese surname.

The Shying family had a habit of marrying Irish girls. Both the Chinese and the Irish were regarded as inferior races by the British. Both seemed to arouse suspicion because of their customs, and both were willing to work harder and longer for less pay.

John Joseph had two younger sisters.

Christopher Shying, another family member, served in the 1st AIF.

Join the Asian ANZACs page.


Sources

http://www.hht.net.au/discover/highlights/insites/citizen_soldiers_the_new_south_wales_volunteer_rifles,_18541501885

http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/welch/exservicemen.htm
(This site wrongly lists Mak Sai Pang as John Joseph’s dad. Mak Sai Pang is John James’ dad. John James is John Joseph’s dad, so Mak Sai Pang is John Joseph’s grandad.)

Australian War Memorial
http://www.awm.gov.au/research/people/nominal_rolls/pre_first_world_war/person.asp?p=473712

Photo courtesy of David Daniel Ball.