Kurri Kurri Public School is set to receive the medals of fallen World War One Soldier, Private William Kelly, marking the first time a school has been granted the honour.
Originally from Scotland, Kelly boarded in Kurri Kurri prior to his enlistment with his medals kept in army archive after his death for over a century before being brought to Australia earlier this month.
Historian and author, John Gillam says Private Kelly viewed Kurri Kurri as his home and is the rightful place for his medals.
"William Kelly did not refer to any of his family in Scotland in any papers, Kurri Kurri was his adopted home...He believed it was worth defending so he went to war to fight for it."
Mr Gillam believes the medals being given to the school holds significant importance in increasing community awareness of Kurri Kurri's role in the ANZAC legend.
"Having the medals will mean that the school's leaders will have the opportunity to bring the medals out every year and tell the story to the community of who William Kelly was.
"My hope is that this will encourage the people of Kurri Kurri to do research into community links to World War One and ANZAC soldiers as I am sure that there are other medals which lie unclaimed."
The medals will be kept at Kurri Kurri Public school for safekeeping and will be presented at a ceremony next week to mark the beginning of the communities Centenary of Armistice celebrations.
Image source: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=anzac&rlz=1C1GGRV_enAU751AU751&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjT4eP7pYLdAhXJA4gKHd33AP0Q_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=943#imgrc=v59sXfBLXbV_PM:
