Two new oaks were added to the Waitaki district’s memorial oaks on Monday, honouring the sacrifices of Privates William and Bob Orr, of Maheno.
The men were killed months apart on the Belgian and French fronts of the war in 1917.
A single oak had commemorated the brothers, but was removed last month, with the agreement of the memorial oaks committee, because it was located beneath overhead power lines.
The ceremony was led by committee member Barry Gamble.
The Ven B. Wilkinson, Archdeacon of St Luke’s Anglican Church, led attendees in a prayer before Mr Gamble read The Ode and bugler Ray Walker played Last Post and reveille.
Mr Gamble said their "names, service and their stories endure, not only on memorials far away, but here in Maheno, where these oaks will grow strong and tall in their memory".
"It is fitting, therefore, that their memorial oaks stand in this place, a living tribute to two local boys who gave their lives for king and country during the Great War [World War 1] — may their courage and devotion never be forgotten," he said.
Memorial Oaks secretary Rob Douglas, grandson of founder Dr Alexander Douglas, attended the ceremony along with former Waitaki district councillor and serviceman Guy Percival, council heritage adviser Mark Smith and RSA supporter April Dickson.
Archdeacon Wilkinson blessed the site and Maheno School pupils Donald Ellis and Doug Brensel helped plant the oaks.
About 200 remain today.
Each brother now has his own oak and white cross, provided by Statement Trees and Crombie Monumentalists.
Bob Orr was the younger of the brothers (born April 4, 1889) and was working as a labourer in Waimate when he enlisted.
Bob Orr was part of the Auckland infantry and was killed in action in France on February 21, 1917. He is buried in Pont Du Hem Military Cemetery in France.
His older brother, John William Orr, born exactly three years before Bob, was employed as a ploughman in Makikihi when he enlisted.
William Orr was serving with the Auckland Infantry Regiment Waikato Company when he died in action at Passchendaele on October 4, 1917.
He has no known grave but his name is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial near the ground where he fell in Belgium.
The brothers were the sons of Matilda and John Orr, who made their home in Maheno.
Extensive searching for any members of the Orr family by the committee, the council and Oamaru RSA had so far been unsuccessful, Mr Gamble said.
"We are still trying to locate any family of the Orr Brothers."
