Birdwood Military Museum curator Barry Stinson with the RSL Club's Roll of Honour.

Geraldton’s Birdwood Military Museum finds itself in the middle of a proverbial haystack, looking for 149 “needles”.

The museum, located at the Returned Services Club in Chapman Road, is trying to track down information on 149 Geraldton soldiers who died on duty during The Great War of 1914-19.

The Diggers are listed on the club’s Honour Roll but there is little information about their service, or a face to the names.

“All we know is their names,” says Museum curator Barry Stinson. “When we cross-checked, in some cases there is different spelling, so we can't be 100 per cent sure.

“We’re planning a myriad of activities in the lead up to this year’s 100th commemoration of the Gallipoli Landing (ANZAC Day, 25 April) and we’d like to know more about the city’s soldiers who served in The First World War.”

“We are currently researching Service and War Graves records in relation to the

Individuals to add to our database and are desperately seeking photographs of the Diggers in uniform.”

The museum wants people to scan the list to see if there’s a relative they know of, in the hope they will have more information. Some of the soldiers may not be from Geraldton but all enlisted there.

“We’d like to know things like their family background, what area they lived in, what they did for a job, who they served with and where,” said Mr Stinson.

“Of course, we’d also like any pictures, documents or memorabilia. We don't necessarily want to keep the material but we’d like to digitise it, with a view to perhaps using it in future displays or commemorations.”

Anyone who believes they have a relative in this list can contact Barry Stinson on 0408 222 653.

Release prepared by Greg Smith. Ph 0405 313 000