From the first action in German New Guinea in September 1914, through the eight months of the Dardanelles campaign, the bloody battles in Western Europe and the Middle East, the names on the constant casualty lists impacted every Australian community.

For too many families their loss was permanent, a husband, father, child or sibling who would not be returning and would lie forever in foreign soil too far and too difficult to visit.

For too many families there was the telegram informing them their next-of-kin was simply missing in action, bringing even less closure.