Year 5 and 6 students welcomed a visit from two descendants of World War I soldiers who shared their family stories.

Slim Ward, from Kangaroo Valley, spoke of his father Private Frederick John Ward, who was part of the Australian Light Horse Regiment. 

Pte Ward from Bowral joined up on December 12, 1915 after working as a station hand with the Chittick family.

“My father was an excellent horseman and one of his best friends was the Valley’s showjumping champion Bob Chittick.

“He joined up when he was working at a sheep station out west. The Coo-ee recruitment march went through and he signed up and made his way to Sydney.

“They rode a special breed of horse overseas called Walers because they were bred for the hot, dry conditions and were very loyal animals.”

Students interviewed Slim Ward about his father’s history. One asked if he knew any of the names of his dad’s horses.

“My dad died soon after his return to Australia. He left me one of his horses and her name was Dolly,” Mr Ward answered.

Mr Ward gave each student a penny to remember him by.

“You used to be able to buy a whole lot of sweets with a penny.”

Rob Brooks from Wollongong spoke about the tragedies of Thomas Brooks, from Kangaroo Valley, who was killed by a shell at the Battle of Pozieres while troops attempted to capture Hill 160 or The Windmill.

“His body was never recovered,” he said.

“Thousands of soldiers including Australians died in this battle when trying to capture the German fort.

“The day after Tom died we took the hill.”

Mr Brooks had many photos of early settlement in Kangaroo Valley and explained to the students how things were done in early years.

After the interviews Kangaroo Valley teacher Andrew Smee, principal John Bond and Kangaroo Valley Anzac Committee chairperson Joan Bray filled the time capsule with special items from the day’s event, including the names of the students, to commemorate the centenary of Anzac.

The capsule will be stored at the Kangaroo Valley Pioneer Museum Park until it is opened again in 2045.

Kangaroo Valley year 5 students Aria Baker, Darby Barker, Lily Bruce, Brynn Carlile, Crysta Georgiou-Anderson, Star Tisch (absent), Layla Wang and year 6 students Amelia Anderson, Yasmin Anderson, Paige Baker, Maclaren Barker, Hayley Bourke, Ari Britton, Jarrah Carlile, James Good, Jemima Gripper, Britney Higgins, Emilie Housden, Elise Keevers, Taidgh Larkins, Hayden Muffet, Campbell Paterson, Ori Schwegler, Broedy Smith, Ashanti Still, Emily Szymoniczek, Joseph Thomas, Madison Walker (absent) and Christie Warren will have their names read out in another 50 years as the next generation of students commemorates World War I soldiers for the 150th anniversary of Anzac.