The lives, photos and stories of the 17 Eglinton veterans will be on display, with much of the information provided by the soldiers’ descendants.

Local historian Angie Peard is passionate about the history of these young men who fought, and died, for their country.

Mrs Peard is eager to share the stories behind the 17 names on the village’s war memorial.

Her extensive exhibition, to be on show in Eglinton War Memorial Hall, includes photos, maps, war history, notes from the Red Cross and newspapers from the era.

“Down the track we’d like to show these soldiers aren’t just names on a board,” she said.

Of the 17 soldiers, four were killed in action, and it is these four men that she is hoping the community may have more information on.

The soldiers’ names are Norman John Delhunty, Colin Athol Cox, Robert Alfred Mayberry and Ernest H. Hawke, and Mrs Peard is hopeful the exhibition may jolt some memories from community members.

“I’m just hoping we can get information, it could be photos, memories, letters or any of their war history,” she said.

Bathurst man David Press, descendent of Norman John Delhunty, will speak on the day on behalf of the four who were killed in battle.

Such is her interest in World War I that Mrs Peard journeyed to Europe in 2014 to visit the battlefields.

“My husband and I went over to the battlefields in Belgium and France last year and we’ve got photos of the battlefields,” she said.

“For anyone that’s got a relative [who fought and died overseas], they might want to see what the cemetery looks like.”

While Eglinton’s Australia Day celebrations have previously featured historical displays, Mrs Peard said none have featured such in-depth information on the Great War.

Eglinton village celebrations kick off at 8am with a barbecue, sack race, gumboot throwing competition and a three-legged race.

Official Australia Day celebrations commence at Machattie Park at 9.20am.