Balclutha Round Table has spent the past several weeks making 35 WW2 wooden crosses to complement the 22 World War 1 crosses already used in recent centennial commemorations, meaning the fallen of both conflicts would be recognised by name at Balclutha's cenotaph this year.
Taking part in the project, which was instigated by Clutha District RSA, had been an honour, Round Table member John Neave said.
``We asked our members whether they'd like to help out, and they were unanimous in stepping up. We've all got family who were part of one or both conflicts, and this is another way we can pay our respects for their sacrifice.''
``The World War 1 crosses were distributed by the Fields of Remembrance Trust, and helped mark the contributions of local people during that conflict. We felt, as many attending the Clutha Anzac service nowadays have a direct connection with World War 2, we should mark that now, rather than in 21 years time when it will be too late for some.''
Balclutha Round Table had done an ``excellent'' job in crafting the crosses, which had also required a fair amount of research to complete with accurate details, she said.
``We wanted the new crosses to align with the World War 1 crosses in design, so that meant finding out the service number and rank for each of the 35 new names. We eventually put the final four out to the public, and with their help were able to complete all 35.''
Among the last to be finalised was Frederick Spark, of Kakapuaka, near Balclutha, whose son John Spark, of Alexandra, contacted the RSA after a media appeal.
``Frederick was in the Royal NZ Air Force and was killed in Belgium on October 22, 1941, aged 26 years. Sadly, John was only 8 months old when his father was killed,'' Mrs Soper said.
``We're pleased that, with the help of Round Table, we're now able to provide a lasting memorial to Frederick, and to all our World War 2 soldiers.''
