The sub-branch president said this Saturday’s commemoration had been more than a year in the planning with two significant events planned.

The first is the unveiling of a special Anzac plaque which was installed in the Gloucester Memorial Park by council staff last Tuesday.

The plaque, titled simply ‘Coming Home’, depicts a Gloucester soldier being greeted by his family on his return home from active service.

The artwork on the plaque was designed by the daughter of a sub-branch member and the wording was only decided upon following lively discussion.

“All the sub-branch members had a say. There were a few different ideas bandied about but we finally settled on some words we all agreed upon,” Mr Murray said.

The plaque was made at Uralla and visitors to the park will enjoy an unimpeded view of both the plaque and the clock tower memorial.

“We settled on this location because once you’ve finished reading the plaque you can look straight up at the memorial without your view being impeded,” Mr Murray said.

The second major event planned for Saturday’s commemorations will be the unveiling of nearly three dozen crosses commemorating local soldiers that were killed during the First World War.

Mr Murray said descendants of those killed had been invited to attend the commemorations where crosses made by students at Gloucester High would be planted to symbolise each of the men that died.

The crosses will bear the name of each of the soldiers as well as a single, knitted poppy.

“The crosses will be planted in the rose garden by local school students,” Mr Murray said.

Saturday’s commemorations begin with a Dawn Service at the Clock Tower Memorial from 5.30am.

A march from the Soldiers Club will commence at 10.30am with the main service to begin at 11am. The special centenary of Anzac commemorations start at 12.30pm in the memorial park.