When a crowd of over 100 gathered to mark the Eglinton War Memorial Hall’s 70^th birthday, it turned out that some of them had their own stories to tell.

“We had locals and old residents of Eglinton there,” Eglinton War Memorial Hall Committee publicity officer Graham Carter said.

“We had some people who had travelled from Newcastle.

“There were a couple of people there who actually remembered, as children, being involved in the building of the building. Some of them remembered carrying things as kids.”

One of the guests, Ted Rheinberger, remembered helping lay sand for the foundations, Mr Carter said.

A cake was cut by the Eglinton Public School captains and state Member for Bathurst Paul Toole and navy, army and air force emblems were unveiled on the southern end of the hall roof by Bathurst RSL Sub Branch president David Mills and Mr Toole.

An interpretive sign, which gives a history of the hall and details some of its important features, was also unveiled.

“The sign was sponsored by Bathurst Regional Council and had been organised through Janet Bingham, who is an Eglinton resident,” Mr Carter said.

A wreath was also laid under the memorial board inside the building, which is the only community-built war memorial hall in NSW.

Mr Carter said the Bathurst City and RSL Band played through the afternoon and there was plenty of catching-up once the formal part of the day was finished.

“Everyone came and had cups of tea and sat around and talked for hours,” he said.