William George Lampan was unmarried and working as an engine driver when he responded to the call for volunteers to enlist in the AIF. Although Australia's racial policy at the time did not favour the acceptance of Australians with Chinese heritage in the AIF, the shortage of suitable men and perceived urgency of the war saw many recruitment officers overlook racial restrictions.

Lampan was killed in action at Gallipoli on 8 August 1915, during the ill-fated attempt to take Hill 971. British Command's objective was to capture all three main heights, Chunuk Bair, Hill Q and Hill 971, along the ridgeline running North-East from the hill known as Baby 700. The assault aimed to enable the British direct access to the Dardanelles.

The battle commenced on the night of 6 August 1915. In this battle, Lampan served in the Australian 4th Battalion under the command of Brigadier-General John Monash. The 4th Battalion's advance was soon hampered by Turkish resistance. By dawn on 7 August 1915, Monash's men were in the valley Arghyl Dere, some distance from their objective.

On 8 August 1915, the 4th Battalion were ordered to redirect their advance to seize the Northern Spur line Adbel Rahman Bair and move south along it to Hill 971. Lampan was killed during this advance, when the 4th Battalion were caught in the open by well entrenched Turkish machine gun emplacements, and driven back having received great losses.

References

• Seeto, Richard. 2012. 'Lest We Forget'.