The rededication service for privates Robert Kearns and William Murphy was held Wednesday (November 11) from 10.30am, just prior to the observance of the Remembrance Day service.

The Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group, through the hard work of member Graham Morrison, local historian Robyn Florance and the Commonwealth War Graves has seen the graves of privates Kearns and Murphy refurbished and rededicated,

Private Kearns served with the 45th Battalion in Ypres in Belgium and then in the Somme Valley in France.

Private Murphy joined the 20th Battalion and then the 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot at Etaples, from where he joined the 20th Battalion Field Ambulance taking part in three major battles, the second Bullecourt in France, Menin Road and Poelcappelle in Belgium and in the spring of 1918 the severe fighting at Hangard Wood.

Kearns and Murphy are among 13 WWI diggers unmarked graves that have been discovered, with work on them all being refurbished and rededicated.

Unfortunately, despite lots of research the only found relative for Robert Kearns was Tony Longbottom, the four times great nephew of his wife Minnie.

Read more:

No relatives have been found for Murphy, who was known as Bill.

However, he married Ethel and at one stage both had separate shops in Kinghorne Street, Nowra, Bill selling gift wares and lottery tickets and Ethel running Anne's Gifts. They didn't have any children.

If you believe you could be related in some way Mrs Florance and Mr Morrison would love to hear from you.

Mr Longbottom said it was a honour to represent his family and lay a wreath on "his uncle's grave" .

"This is very special and very much appreciated," Mr Longbottom said.

"I really didn't know about Robert Kearns, but I went to one of the aunties who has the family tree and history, there he was marrying Minnie.

"It is special to see him remembered in this way."

Richard Poole, whose grandfather Daniel was also a member of the 20th Battalion (the same as Murphy), who was three times nominated for the Victoria Cross, and eventually awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) on two occasions represented the battalion.

HMAS Albatross was again represented by Executive Officer Commander Nigel Rowen, and personnel who provided an honour guard for the event.

Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group chairman Rick Meehan and president Fred Campbell both provided outlines of the men's service in a moving ceremony organised with the support of Murphy Family Funerals.

"Robert Kearns and William Murphy were both laid to rest with unnamed graves to reflect their service to their country," Mr Meehan said.

"They served this country in a time of war.

"Today we gather to correct that wrongdoing and rededicate these graves. We gather to pay due honour and say goodbye and thank you for ones that served their country.

"It was great to see so many proud veterans here today paying their respects to the fallen."

Mr Campbell thanked everyone involved in the special ceremony including thanking an acknowledging other ex-service organisations involved in making the service possible.

Mr Payne was joined by his wife Flo and daughter-in-law Heidi for the trek south from Queensland, and will travel to Canberra on Thursday to take in the Last Post Ceremony for another Victoria Cross recipient Kevin "Dasher" Wheatley at the Australian War Memorial.

While in the Shoalhaven, they travelled in style in a limousine from Paul's Limousines, with Mr Payne also visiting the proposed site of the $5 million Veterans Wellbeing Centre in Nowra and a respite centre for defence personnel and first responders that is being established in Sussex Inlet.

The ceremony concluded with the playing of the Last Post and the reciting of the Ode.

Remembrance Day was commemorated, remembering and thanking those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, those who served and currently serve their country.

Private Robert Kearns (#2665) was born in Bathurst.

He was a labourer and enlisted at Kiama on June 27, 1916 aged 34.

He was married to Minnie Longbottom, of Greenwell Point.

He joined the 45th Battalion 6th Reinforcements and embarked from Sydney on board troopship Ceramic on October 7, 1916 disembarking at Plymouth November 21, 1916.

He proceeded overseas to France on May 3, 1917 joining the 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot at Etaples before being assigned to the 45th Battalion.

The 45th spent time alternating between duty in the trenches and training and rest behind the lines, first around Ypres in Belgium, and then in the Somme Valley in France.

The 45th Battalion was in reserve for the 4th Division's first major action of 1917 and the first battle of Bullecourt; and was not committed to the attack.

It was, however, heavily engaged during the battle of Messines in June, and suffered commensurate casualties.

The focus of the AIF's operations had now switched to the Ypres sector in Belgium.

On August 1, Private Kearns had an accident resulting in a severe break of his large left toe and fractured right arm and was transferred to England for treatment.

He was medically declared unfit for further service and returned to Australia on February 1, 1918 and was discharged from the AIF on May 1, 1918.

For his service to his country Robert was awarded -

1914-1918 British War Medal.

1914-1919 Victory Medal.

Robert passed away at David Berry Hospital on July 19, 1941 aged 59.

Private William John Murphy (#5441) was born in the Riverina District.

He was employed as a carrier when he enlisted at Cootamundra on March 7, 1916 aged 18 years.

He joined the 20th Battalion and embarked for overseas duty on board troopship Wiltshire on August 22, 1916, arriving in England on October 13.

He proceeded overseas to France on December 13, 1916 joining the 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot at Etaples. From there he joined the 20th Battalion Field Ambulance on December 17, 1916.

On May 3, 1917 he himself was admitted to the 20th Field Ambulance where he was then transferred to hospital at Boulogne and invalided back to England with trench fever.

He rejoined his unit in the field from hospital on November 22, 1917.

The 20th Battalion took part in three major battles before the year was out, the second Bullecourt (May 3-4) in France, Menin Road (September 20-22) and Poelcappelle (October 9-10) in Belgium.

The spring of 1918 brought a major German offensive.

The 20th Battalion was one of many Australian battalions rushed to stop it, and it encountered some particularly severe fighting when ordered to attack at Hangard Wood on April 7.

With the German Army's last desperate offensive defeated, the 20th Battalion participated in the

battles that pushed Germany ever closer to defeat.

He was wounded in action in France on April 7, 1918 and admitted to hospital at Rouen.

He was transferred to Southwark military hospital on April 10, 1918 suffering from a severe gunshot wound to the left leg.

He returned to Australia and was discharged on August 8, 1919. He was living at 49 St Anne Street Nowra in 1965.

For his service to his country William was awarded -

1914-1915 Star.

1914-1918 War Medal.

1914-1919 Victory Medal.

William passed away in Nowra on March 1, 1983 aged 85.