The beautiful raised inscription on the bronze plaque records the names of 112 men from Wagin and district who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I.

In his presentation speech to the two school captains, Wagin RSL president Ian Menzies said any research on the plaque undertaken by the students will prove challenging.

The Wagin War Memorial contains 64 names of those who died, but the plaque records 112 names.

It is possible the additional names are those who came from the area covered by the original Wagin Road Board.

It was suggested by a Wagin District High School student that the plaque could be incorporated into a commemorative wall to be erected in the school grounds.

In his short speech to the school’s 300 students at the Anzac Day ceremony held at the Wagin War Memorial, Mr Menzies focused on local World War I veteran Captain Vernon Piesse.

Capt Piesse attended the school and his name and death is recorded on the large wooden honour board in one of the school’s hallways.

The mystery surrounding Capt Piesse’s heroic part in the disastrous attack on the Nek at Gallipoli on August 7, 1915 has finally been revealed.

Capt Piesse had been hospitalised but demanded to be released so he could rejoin his men in their forthcoming attack on the Turkish positions on the Nek.

Capt Piesse was under orders to launch the attack by the 10th Light Horse on the Nek, despite the naval bombardment finishing seven minutes earlier than planned and the fact that the Turks had slaughtered the Australian 8th Light Horse only minutes earlier.

It would appear it was Capt Piesse who shouted the famous words: “Well chaps, we’ve just got 10 minutes to live,” blew his whistle and with his men charged to their death under the Turkish gunfire.

Senior students at the school intend to further research the names of those who died in World War I, including the incidents that surrounded Capt Piesse’s part in that disastrous attack.

Mr Menzies reminded students that unless mutual respect became a way of life, such as that engendered by Capt Piesse, not only at school but also at home and in the wider community, wars would continue to be fought across the nations of the world.

“We do not want further names to be inscribed on our War Memorial,” Mr Menzies said.