During the past eight years the Hunter man has identified at least 800 memorials – including 114 from Maitland – and has offered up his finds to the State Library.

But according to Mr McLardy it is not only a plaque or cenotaph that constitutes a memorial.

“War memorials of all kinds, whether it be a plaque or a tree, are extremely important because our children need to realise what has gone on,” Mr McLardy, of Newcastle, said.

One of Mr McLardy’s main objectives has been to record the number of lone pine trees in the Hunter Valley, many of which are planted in Maitland.

There are 35 of the war tree plants across the city.

“Maitland is well represented when it comes to lone pines and it’s wonderful to see,” he said.

“I do this to record our history for future generations because memorials can be destroyed, stolen, lost or demolished and trees can die.

“And if I don’t do it, who will?

“It’s a matter of trying to record these memorials before something happens.”

There are more than 3000 war memorials in NSW.