The grave of a forgotten war hero has been restored at the Northam Cemetery, thanks to the help of a local history buff.
Coondle resident David Sims shared the story of Charles Hubbard with the Avon Valley and Wheatbelt Advocate in February.
The grave was completed by the office of Australian War Graves last Wednesday, on the eve of ANZAC Day.
Charles Hubbard was a New Zealand born miner living in Northam.
In March 1917 Hubbard enlisted as a private in the Australian Imperial Force at the age of 63, instead saying he was 44 as the cut off age to serve was 45.
Hubbard was part of the 16th Battalion who fought at the Western Front.
He was the oldest man on the battlefield and survived the war, although coming away paralised as the result of a gunshot to his back and neck.
Upon discovering Hubbard's story, Mr Sims contacted the office of Australian War Graves to assist in restoring his grave.
Mr Sims said the striking characteristic about Hubbard was his age.
"At that time Charles would have known what he was getting himself into," Mr Sims said.
"When everybody else was thinking about retirement he joined up to go away and fight for king and country."
Mr Sims said he is pleased to see the work completed, with plans to share the stories of other forgotten local war heroes.
He said he hopes local schools will take the opportunity to visit the Northam cemetery as a way of learning the town's history and paying respect to the fallen.
