The military service biographies of the Wasleys and District volunteers of the Great War, will be published in a book researched and written by local resident Mr Daryl Barker.

The book will be published in time for the 2016 Remembrance Day following a successful grant application by the Wasleys Community Group (WCG) to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Hon. Martin Hamilton-Smith.

WCG Chair, Mrs Lynette Marker said the securing the funding from Veterans’ Affairs has made it possible to bring these stories to life. “The book will help the community to gain a better understanding of the history of its town and people,” Mrs Marker said.

“It brings to life the names which appear on the honour board” Mr Barker said he was moved to write the book because of his general interest in Australian military history. He said he was surprised at the number of local people who volunteered.

“One of the saddest stories I researched was of one volunteer who survived the front but was killed on his way home when the ship was torpedoed, just a month before the armistice.”

Mr Barker also acknowledged the support provided by local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo. Mr Piccolo said the Wasleys and Districts honour roll lists the 76 men and women who either lived in the district, or had family connections to the area, and enlisted to serve during World War I.

“While the honour board helps us remember those who served the nation through the defence services of Australia, it does not tell the whole story,” Mr Piccolo said.

“The names on the honour roll are more than soldiers, they are people who walked the streets of Wasleys, who ploughed the soils in the district, had wives and husbands, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers and children.”

“For this reason alone, they should not be forgotten. Nineteen of those who served never returned and the community was forever changed.”

“While those who did return, were never the same. This book helps us to glean some understanding of how this community was affected by the Great War.” Mr Piccolo added.

Light Regional council Mayor, Bill O’Brien said the “ publication of this book for the 2016 Remembrance Day service will be of immense value in supporting the residents of Wasleys who have recently suffered the devastating effect of the Pinery fires; members of some of those resident families having been featured in the book.”

The book will be officially launched prior to the Remembrance Day service to be held at the Wasleys ANZAC Memorial.