Wanganui soldiers who died fighting in World War II will soon have their names recorded on a public memorial for the first time.
The memorial project has been pushed along for years by Jim Clarke, who served in Malaya.
He was concerned that the names of the 376 Wanganui men killed in World War II were recorded in books, but not on a public memorial.
That all changes next week when the names, engraved in silver on a black marble slab, are fixed to a memorial outside the Wanganui War Memorial Hall.
Mr Clarke said relatives of the soldiers would want to see the names displayed, and the memorial would also interest tourists.
It will be unveiled on April 15 and will be a stopping place on the way to the cenotaph during the dawn ceremony on Anzac Day.
A wreath will be laid, and 22 white crosses will be erected on either side of the memorial, recording the names of countries and campaigns in World War II.
Returned Services Association president Graeme Pleasants said the memorial weighed 10 tonnes and cost $15,000.
The RSA was applying for grants to cover some of the cost.
RSA members wanted it in place for Anzac Day this year.
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