More than 470 World War I soldiers from Bacchus Marsh and nearby towns are to be memorialised in a book.
Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society member Katrina Lyle said the group had collated service records from the Australian War Memorial.
But it is calling on local families to share stories about their loved ones who served in the war.
“The enlistment records are so good – you can tell what the colour of their eyes were, their complexion, weight, height, whether they were married or single,” Ms Lyle said.
“Records are terrific, but what you don’t get is individual stories.”
Ms Lyle says the book, which will be published in August, 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the planting of the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour, will “bring to life” the soldiers.
“In the emotional lives of families and of our nation, they hold a very important place,” she said. “And it’s important they’re not forgotten … to remember these generally young men who did an extraordinary thing.”
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