Descendants of Bendigo soldiers who served in World War One will honour their memory when the city’s Field of Remembrance is placed in Queen Victoria Gardens this Friday at midday.
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More than 40 new crosses will be added to the field, which was the city’s special Centenary of ANZAC project and which had commenced in 2015.
The field was expected to grow to 400 crosses by November 2018, the centenary of the Armistice to end fighting in World War One.
It’s good because first of all, he’s my great grandfather. Secondly, (they) all need to be remembered, really.
- Stewart Harris
Among descendants taking part this Friday would be Stewart Harris, who would place a cross for his great-grandfather Arthur Ernest Proud.
Proud’s name appeared on the Quarry Hill Primary School honour roll. He was a plumber before enlisting in 1916. He was wounded in May 1917 and died aged 35 in Britain on 14 November 1918 of influenza.
Mr Harris had been involved in the Field of Remembrance commemorations since they began and said it was an important way to recognise both his family’s members’ contributions and sacrifices.
“It’s good because first of all, he’s my great grandfather. Secondly, all (those being recognised on Friday) need to be remembered, really,” he said.
The family had a bit of information on their ancestor, with Mr Harris’ mother writing a song based loosely on his story. She was also writing a novel based loosely on his life.
Names had been taken from the honour rolls of Quarry Hill Primary School, Golden and Corinthian Lodge and the Bendigo locomotive sheds.
Crosses were first placed in the field in 2015 on the eve of Anzac Day, the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
The Field of Remembrance event will be among a number taking place in Bendigo to mark Remembrance Day.
Saturday will see commemoration services take place across Bendigo and central Victoria.
However, due to renovations at the Soldiers Memorial Institute, services that would otherwise have taken place there will instead be held at the Bendigo District RSL Complex, 73-75 Havilah Road, Bendigo.
The Bendigo service will start at 10.40am Saturday.
The Eaglehawk service will be held from 10:45am at the Eaglehawk Memorial, Brassey Square.