Proudly wearing their medals, the six will be immortalised with their ­pictures taken by professionals from the Australian Institute of Professional Photography.

These portraits will be gifted to the Australian War Memorial’s collection in a project called The Reflections: Honouring Our World War II Veterans.

Taking the photographs in Maitland was Vivian Hayles.

“We are delighted by the response of those who fought in World War II,” Ms Hayles told the Mercury.

“We are particularly delighted that six men from the Maitland area have responded to our call.

“Very often these men don’t talk about much about what they did and our aim is to record their stories and take quality portrait photographs of them.

“To have six people from Maitland who responded to our request is very pleasing.”

Ms Hayles said the objective of the project was to take photographs of all World War II veterans who came forward and they were talking to veterans throughout the state.

“We also talk to them about their ­stories,” she said.

“We have spoken to many families who say these veterans have been very willing to share their experiences with us.

“There seems to be something about this project that makes them bring their stories out.

“And today, the six veterans from Maitland have played their part in such a valuable project.”

It is one of the most ambitious ventures undertaken by members of the institute who are specialist photographers and all volunteers.

Ms Hayles said the portraits would be lasting memories of the servicemen and women, for their families – and for the nation.

Now 90 years old, Donald McIlwain from East Maitland says war is a terrible thing.

“But I would join up all over again to defend my country against the Japanese,” he told the Mercury.

“If we had not all done what we did in those days, I might not be sitting here today.”

It was a proud moment for Mr McIlwain on Tuesday. 

He was among a group of six World War II veterans from Maitland to have their portrait photographs taken by members of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography – to be gifted to the Australian War Memorial’s collection.

“When I turned 18, I had to register, so I joined the Australian Army,” he said.

“I was in the 2nd/3rd Anti Aircraft Regiment and we fired 3.7mm guns at Japanese planes in North West Borneo.

“I would much rather have been at home, of course, but we had to defend our homes and our country.”

Doug Pyle, 92, from Bolwarra Heights, served in an intelligence unit working with American general Douglas McArthur.

“I was 19 when I joined the cyber section, working with coded messages, and we all knew something really big was about to happen just before the atom bomb was dropped on Japan,” he said.

Douglas Branscomb, 92, from Bolwarra was in signals.

“It was important then to fight. And I believe it is important for veterans to be here to take part in this project today,” he said.

Harry Morton, 93, from East Maitland, was with the pioneers, ensuring landing craft could move swiftly to unload soldiers on the beaches.

“I remember an enemy shell landing just 20m from an ammunition ship we were unloading,” he said.

“If that shell had hit the ship, I would not be here having my picture taken. 

“Today, I have a daughter, two grand­children and three great-grandchildren and I know how lucky I am.

“So if by having my photograph taken I can do something so people remember what happened in the war, I am very happy to be here.”