This was a huge loss of life, with local WW1 history author Pat Raymond saying this number was out of about 892 Bega Valley soldiers who joined the war effort, and whose names appear on the various War Memorials within the shire. 

The boards have been placed in Bega, Bermagui, Eden and Merimbula libraries, and there is a slot next to each name on the board to insert knitted or crocheted poppies. 

They are part of the Bega Valley Shire Library’s Poppies for Anzac Day Project, which began early last year after community members participated in the 5000 Poppies project in Melbourne, knitting and crocheting poppies to be displayed in Federation Square for Anzac Day. 

Local and family history librarian Linda Albertson said after this there was an interest in the community to continue making poppies and create a local display.

So people took out their knitting needles again and at the last count there were over 1000 poppies to be staked out the front of Bega library in time for Anzac Day. 

“The enthusiasm from the community for making poppies for this project demonstrates to me that people want to feel connected with their past and history is important in adding value to the present,” Ms Albertson said. 

“…I think projects like this help people feel connected to their past and to each other through the shared experiences of their ancestors.”

Ms Albertson said the honour boards are an offshoot of the poppy project, utilising the information from Ms Raymond’s book “Remembering Bega Valley Servicemen of World War 1: Battlefield and War Related Deaths”. 

On April 24, Ms Albertson will be staking the poppies out the front of Bega library from 9am, and invited anyone to come along to help. 

The work should take an hour or two, and the more who attend the quicker it will be done.

If you have any questions you can contact Ms Albertson on 6499 2127.