The Passchendaele march and ceremony at Maitland Park came in the middle of a challenging dry spell – and it suddenly decided to rain.

Not that it dampened the enthusiasm of the more than 200 people who attended Saturday’s ceremony at the cenotaph to honour the historic WWI battle in which Maitland’s own 34th Battalion was heavily involved.

“We were worried when the showers came that the Tiger Moth flyover we had organised would have to be called off,” Peter Hedges, chairman of the organising committee said.

“But we looked up and there they were ... these two little Tiger Moths emerging from the black clouds. It was terrific.

“I know the 34th Battalion was Maitland’s Own but I am still surprised every time at the number of people in the area who had a descendant there.”

There were also dozens of black wooden crosses supplied for people to write the name of their descendant on and place in the hedge around the cenotaph.

“It was pretty moving,” Mr Hedges said. “I think everyone would agree it was a really successful day.”

The battle had a huge effect on the Maitland community, as the 34th Battalion, Maitland’s Own, were heavily involved.

The battalion lost more than 50 per cent of its soldiers at Passchendaele, leaving many women back home in Maitland as widows.

There are several other local events that have been organised for the Passchendaele centenary.

Passchendaele: photography and the moving image in battle exhibition is on at Maitland Regional Art Gallery from Saturday until January 28. 

Maitland and District Historical Society will also hold an exhibition from Saturday until January 28.