The launch of a new book, "From Baw Baw to Gelibolu", had added more important detail to the involvement of Baw Baw Shire people in the creation of the Anazac legend that will be commemorated again next Monday, the 107th anniversary of when Australian and New Zealand troops joined other allied forces in attacking the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey during World War 1.
Gelibolu is the Turkish name for Gallipoli.
Warragul school teacher Ken Wilson spent six years researching the book that focuses on the 76 men from the then Warragul, Narracan and Buln Buln shires, that comprise today's Baw Baw shire, who were killed on the peninsula in the eight-month campaign.
The names are also listed on the Anzac centenary memorial installed in Warragul's Civic Park and on community war memorials located throughout the district.
The striking front cover photograph titled "On Way Home From School" was spotted by Mr Wilson hanging in a cafe in Drouin.
He said the picture of two young boys, one riding a horse and the other climbing over a direction sign post bearing the names of Labertouche, Jindivick, Neerim, Brandy Creek, Buln Buln, Drouin and Longwarry reminded him of the youthfulness and innocence of the local men that went to Gallipoli.
The book's recent launch at a function at Warragul RSL clubrooms was a timely lead in to this year's Anzac Day,
Australia and New Zealand casualties at Gallipoli totalled more than 11,400 killed and almost 24,200 wounded, including five from Baw Baw that were killed during the first waves of the invasion on the morning of April 25, 1915.
The 76 from the shire who died on Gallipoli were either born, raised or came to the area to work and included four that were under the official enlistment age, there were two sets of brothers and three married men. All were volunteers.
Although official records are few Mr Wilson's painstaking research of Australian War Memorial service records including access to several diaries and letters enabled him to eventually identify the men's links to the district, areas in which they fought and where and when they died.
Visits he and his wife made to Turkey leading two community tours in 2009 and 2013, and as a history teacher, inspired Mr Wilson to find out more about the Gallipoli campaign and the local people that served and died there.
The 98-page book that is available to the public includes photographs of a number of the men that were killed or died of wounds or disease, photographs of key battle areas that were taken on his visits and maps he has compiled to paint pictures of where fighting occurred.
Its production was financed by donations from businesses and individuals and proceeds from the $30 price will go to a Drouin Secondary College fund to pay for camps and excursions for students from low socio-economic circumstances.
"From Baw Baw to Gelibolu" is available at newsagents and Bendigo Bank branches in the shire and at Need2Read and Little Teacups cafe, both in Warragul.