The extensive honour roll dominating Anderson Park will receive a facelift to fix individual weather damaged bronze plaques facing the railway station.

The two brick wings at the memorial were installed near the obelisk and opened by Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Bruce Scoot in 1997.

But while the large front plaques have worn well, the small plaques on the rear wall, recognising the contribution of local veterans who enlisted outside Young, are rain damaged and badly corroded.

Over the years many of these veterans who enlisted away from Young have played a major role in the Young community, with past RSL president of 20 years Bill Baldwin a prime example, having joined up in Adaminaby.

President of the Young RSL Sub-branch John Walker has asked for help to ensure none of these veterans is forgotten, and families and friends are invited to submit names of people who qualify to ensure a complete record is made this time.

“We have received a grant from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs of $1780 to carry out the work,” he said.

Rather than restore the existing small plaques, Mr Walker said they would be removed and their names and any others of veterans living at Young not yet included, would be inscribed on larger bronze plaques.

The plaque replacement is the first in a series of upgrades for local memorials to ensure a complete record at Anderson Park, named after Col Charles Anderson, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his leadership during the World War 11 Malayan campaign at Parit Sulong.

“It is important that we honour those who have served their country to give us freedom,” said Mr Walker.

With the local RSL members taking a comprehensive view of this contribution, another project is underway to recognise all veterans from Young who saw active service during the Boer War.

The sub-branch envisages a new honour roll at the Town Hall memorial to honour their contribution, will create a register ofmen and women from Young who have served in peace keeping forces and help the Murringo community erect a new memorial outside the Murringo Hall.