Four hundred and thirty-six white crosses, each bearing the name of a fallen soldier, have been placed in the gardens surrounding the Carillon.

The crosses are adorned with hand-made poppies, which also spill down the front of the Carillon’s facade on to the steps, ready to host today’s memorial services.

RSL Sub Branch president David Mills yesterday said each of the crosses represented a Bathurst man who enlisted for war and never returned.

“They are here to honour the 436 Bathurst residents who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

Initially, Mr Mills said they were going to set up the crosses like a cemetery, but instead decided to incorporate the gardens at Kings Parade.

Mr Mills said the suggestion of using the poppies was ideal, given they are a symbol of remembrance.

In addition to the poppies attached to the crosses, a sea of hand-knitted flowers will cascade down the front of the Carillon, as well as placed in the gardens to resemble fresh poppies.

Mr Mills said the crosses were made by Brian Tobin and his friend Andy, and the poppies made not only by ladies in Bathurst, but from as far away as Victoria. He said the fact they were hand-knitted was also significant.

“To us, the idea was as the ladies were knitting they were remembering our fallen soldiers,” he said.

Mr Mills said the crosses in the garden representing fallen war heroes was a stark reminder of how many lives were lost.

“Imagine if we lost 436 young men from the community today. Imagine what it must have been like back in 1915,” he said.

Mr Mills thanked everyone involved in making the crosses and poppies as well as everyone who helped out yesterday setting up Kings Parade for today’s services. A group of volunteers from Bunnings joined members of the Bathurst RSL Sub Branch in setting up the crosses and poppies.