Craig Morris stood among the trees trying to think about what his grandfather had been through in the Second World War.

But his thoughts weren't about spilling blood or trench warfare.

"I'd like to see peace. Everybody really wants to live in peace," he said.

Alongside him was Korean war veteran Noel Burns.

"I was 17 when I joined in Kandos. I didn't even tell my father I had signed up. I let him know when he arrived home from work," he said.

The pair proudly walked behind the shadows of a light horseman who waved a flag to honour the forces.

Burrendong State Park manager Jason Kirk also with medals pinned chatted with the men as they traipsed toward the crowd.

Their Australian humour and pride was warmed by a community who wanted them recognised.

The master of ceremonies Tracey Woods said the community had gathered in large numbers "to honour the memory of our gallant men and women".

Councillor David Grant said this community was dedicated to cherishing the armed forces.

Mumbil school children and Brooke Stokes told stories of the wars.

The little town was commemorating the men and women in a big way.

It was bright sunshine in Stuart Town as up to 100 of its community marched toward the local park.

Once there the crowd had swelled to about 300.

"Your presence shows the real meaning and relevance of the Anzac spirit and our sense of identity."

Norma and Rene Hannelly recalled days at the local school grounds practising how they might evacuate if someone invaded.

"It is remarkable because we were so far removed from the war," they said.

Well in some way. Their father-in-law Julian stepped up and enlisted at Dubbo. He went to the Western front and was wounded three years later.

He was poisoned with gas and never really recovered but was always with a sense of humour his daughters recalled.

Their uncles all served in Japan and Malaya.

Sid was taken to a POW camp and moved from place to place. He was eventually executed at a bloody airfield in 1945.

The sisters said he was regarded as loveable, loved his family and his mates.

Their years of dedication to the services at Stuart Town never in vain, the crowd made it known their relations and even the pair had special places in this historic town.

Peter Jarratt, who served in Lebanon and the Sinai Desert, had his chest emblazoned with medals. Humble as so many are the community embraced them.

When asked about how things were, he was more interested in the now.

"I have special thoughts for those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq and the Middle East now," he said.

Stuart Town commemorated the day with videos and photos on a screen in the background of pitch darkness, a reminder wherever you live Anzac Day still touches all in a most haunting and special way.