A BOOKLET shedding light on the former soldiers buried in Codford Parish Church has been produced to coincide with the annual ANZAC service.

More than 100 guests are expected at the service at St Mary's on April 25 at 6.30am to remember the 66 New Zealanders, 31 Australians and one British servicemen who had been based in the village for military training during the First World War.

One died as a result of battle, and the remainder were claimed by illness including the flu epidemic, and in some cases accidents.

Among those expected to attend are representatives of the high commissions from Australia and New Zealand.

Local historian Romy Wyeth, who has helped organise the service, said: “We had about 80 people come last year but because this is the centenary we are expecting it to be closer to 100.

"To Australians and New Zealanders this is their Remembrance Day and we have a very simple service with some readings.

“It’s an amazing service though and it’s a beautiful cemetery and we get lots of old soldiers who have retired coming along.”

Those attending will also be able to take a copy of The Men of St Mary’s and the ANZAC War Graves, which gives background information on ANZAC Day and also a brief biography of every soldier buried in the cemetery.

Mrs Wyeth added: “I think it’s quite important that these people who are buried here are not defined by the fact they are dead but that they had personalities and lives.

“That’s why inside the booklet instead of them being listed in alphabetical order, they are numbered and there is a map that has the corresponding number to the grave so people can flick to that number and know the life story of the person buried there.

“They are not just bodies, they are people.”