A two-year research project honouring Kearsley and Abernethy's World War II servicemen and women came to fruition on Tuesday.
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Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley attended Kearsley Community Hall to unveil plaques for 103 men and women who were engaged in conflict during World War II but had not received public recognition of their service.
It was previously though as few as 10 men from the villages had served in World War II, and their names were included on a bench in the grounds of the hall that was unveiled in 2017.
The Kearsley Community Dawn Service Committee has spent the last two years undertaking historical research to identify local residents who had served during World War II as part of a commemorations project, and uncovered a further 94 men and nine women.
"The vast majority of these men and women served our nation - during one of its darkest hours - with great distinction. Despite their sacrifice to ensure our freedoms, they never received any public recognition," committee chair Jordan Fallon said.
"Countless hours spent analysing service records, historical newspaper articles and trudging through cemeteries across NSW culminated in a list of 103 additional names."
Governor Beazley unveiled individual memorial plaques to commemorate the service and sacrifice of each of these men and women, which will be located in the Kearsley Remembrance Garden that has been established by the committee to honour local service personnel.
Governor Beazley said the communities of Kearsley, Abernethy and Elrington would have been hard hit by the loss of lives, and the physical, mental and economical impacts resulting from the war.
"You have used those losses, those impacts, to make those villages continually strong," she said.
Mr Fallon said the committee was pleased to have the Governor in attendance at the ceremony.
"It is a fitting tribute to these selfless local residents that the Governor visit their hometown and pay her respects to the significant contribution they made to the ongoing development of our nation both at home and abroad," Mr Fallon said.
"Military service is an important part of the social fabric of Kearsley and Abernethy with many local families farewelling loved ones who have answered the call to duty in different theatres of war.
"Uncovering these service personnel and sharing their stories has had an immense impact on our community. There are local families who weren't even aware of their ancestor's service until we delved deep into the nation's history books.
"Now they're bursting with pride knowing their ancestor was instrumental to the defence of Australia during World War II."
From the 103 individuals honoured during the ceremony, 83 served with the Australian Army, 17 with the Royal Australian Air Force and three with the Royal Australian Navy.
Three men died as a result of their service during World War II, including Private Gordon McLean and Private Henry Rundle, who died in battle in Singapore and Libya respectively, and Driver James Ridgely, who died from malaria upon his return home from the front.
Driver Ridgely's death was recognised by the Australian Government as being as a result of his war service and was buried at Aberdare Cemetery with full military honours.
Descendants from across Australia attended Tuesday's ceremony to pay their respects to those ancestors who had answered the call to duty.
"The real tragedy is that these veterans are no longer with us. The purpose of our commemoration project is to ensure they are honoured publicly," Mr Fallon said.
"They may be gone but their contribution and sacrifice will be with our community forever.
"Their service has meant more to our community than they ever could have imagined.
"They will never be forgotten."
The Governor and her husband, Dennis Wilson, were also set to visit Shine for Kids (of which they are Patrons), Iron Gate Estate and Hunter Plant Operator Training School while in the Cessnock area on Tuesday.