DENNINGTON'S lost Diggers were given a fitting heroes' recognition on Saturday when nine plaques laid in their honour were officially unveiled during the Anzac Day centenary commemmoration.
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A crowd estimated at 600 turned out to a street march and service at the town's cenotaph where nine olive trees had recently been planted at the plaques and a new path laid.
Replica poppies were laid at each of the memorial spots for the soldiers killed in action, some of whom had been born elsewhere, but were connected to the area.
The names of Alexander Calder, David McCready, George McLaren, John McLaren, James Murphy, Adam Scroggie, Daniel Whelan, Willian Willis and Eliot Wilson will live on for future generations to reflect on.
Dennington Community Association president David Kelson said 28 men with Dennington connections enlisted and 19 returned home alive.
An honour board was set up in 1920 and the memorial built in 1922.
By the time next year's Anzac Day service rolls around there will be a Lone Pine tree planted to remember those who went from the community to all wars, he said.
Master of ceremonies Richard Ziegeler reminded the crowd that Anzac Day was not about religion, but an appreciation of freedom and peace.
Brauer College student Jeremy Bolden succinctly described Anzac as a single word with powerful meaning which summarised so much of the Aussie vocabulary including cobber, digger and true blue.
A wide cross section of the community laid wreaths at the memorial on behalf of groups and families while many students from local schools took parts in the ceremony.
Earlier in the morning 350 people enjoyed free breakfast in the local hall.
Mr Kelson said it was the best turnout to the service he could remember and he took heart in the fact that numbers were increasing every year.
pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au
