Throughout the Shoalhaven there are a number of memorial trees paying homage to those locals. Many of you probably drive past memorial trees on a daily basis and might not realise you actually are.

One such tree is on the corner of Pyree Lane and Greenwell Point Road, east of Nowra.

The tree, to the west of the Pyree Literary Institute (Pyree Hall) was planted by the community to commemorate those locals lost in World War I.

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Longtime locals will tell you it was one of a number of trees planted as remembrance - others were also established at the corner of Greenwell Point and Mayfield roads (which has since been removed, as it died after being hit by a car), both ends of Jindy Andy Lane on Comerong Island and Greenwell Point roads and at the intersection of Bournes Lane and Greenwell Point Road.

Local historian Robyn Florance provided some information on the memorial tree on Pyree Lane from local newspaper reports.

The tree was planted in memory of the men from Pyree who served in the First World War and paid the supreme sacrifice.

At the South Shoalhaven Council meeting on March 30, 1922 an application was received from the secretary of the Literary Institute at Pyree requesting permission to plant a tree in memory of fallen soldiers on the triangle opposite the Institute, on the junction of the Nowra-Greenwell Point and Pyree-Crookhaven roads.

William Caffery, who made the initial suggestion, undertook the responsibility of planting and caring for the tree.

The tree was planted on Empire Day, May 24, 1922, in memory of Fallen Soldiers of the First World War 1914-1918.

The enclosure containing the memorial tree was triangular in shape, representing the three corners of the war zone - Gallipoli, Palestine and France, each in which some of the local lads had fallen.

Albert Bush, who was in charge of the Pyree Public School, marched the schoolchildren to the site where the tree was to be planted.

The tree had been donated by Mr Caffery but was planted by Alexander Aberdeen JP, the president of the Pyree Institute, in a "well patronised and impressive ceremony".

Mr Caffery, an old local scholar, unfortunately was absent, having to be present at the Numbaa Public School, where his children attended and had specific duties to perform.

The school children stood to attention, with boys removing their hats during the tree planting, while the flag at the Literary Institute was dropped to half-mast for the sacred ceremony.

Messrs W. Morison (chairman of the Empire Day celebrations), Alderman Ryan and James Watt, delivered impressive addresses, especially to the young.

The planting of the tree was prefaced with a short address, with Mr Aberdeen saying "the spot would forever remain sacred to the people of Pyree as being a symbol of the great sacrifice made by their young men in the cause of freedom".

The tree was planted with the following words: "No greater sacrifice can a man make than lay down his life for his country."

On July 2, 1927 the Kurrajong tree, which had been originally planted, was replaced as it did not seem suitable for the climate.

During the five years the first tree was growing in the enclosure, Mrs J McGuire and family never once failed to place a bunch of flowers at the foot of the tree on Anzac Day.

The tree has since remained in its location, although at times it has had to contend with changes to the road system in the area and the unfortunate, occasional trimming by various power entities.

Commemorative plaques and signs have also been placed at the sites of the four remaining trees, to mark their significance.

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