One hundred years have passed since the battle of Gallipoli, among the soldiers was Hamiltonian Horace Moore-Jones who now graces the main street of Hamilton in bronze form.
The five metre high, 200kg statue stands opposite what used to be the Hamilton Hotel where Sapper Moore-Jones eventually lost his life in a fire in 1922, while attempting to save others from the burning building.
Members of the public gathered on Victoria Street for the unveiling of the statue on Friday March 27, gifted by TOTI Trust (Theatre Of The Impossible Trust) from public fundraising, donations and sponsorship.
At 46, Sapper Moore-Jones was seen as too old to fight in World War I. Described as a "man of selflessness", he dyed his hair and shaved his moustache to appear younger and enlisted in the army.
Tava Tyrell, head girl for Hamilton Girls High School said, "No one wanted a 46-year-old soldier, Why would you do this [lie about age to enlist]? It showed he was a man of service." As a talented artist he was quickly became a mapmaker in the army and continued with artwork.