THE small community of Freestone has strong connections to the two world wars.

Not only did the town lose a strong group of fit, young men to the wars - they also gained a hero for the history books, a hero who would never return.

The story of Walter Smale is one of incredible bravery.

A tale for told many generations in Freestone.

A tale of a man, who managed to get into the army despite being half-aboriginal.

A man who served as a bomb thrower - running into enemy fire to hurl grenades 50 yards into the trenches of the Turks.

Walter Smale's story was told by Warwick RSL sub-branch president John Skinner at yesterday's Remembrance Day service in Freestone.

From his early life, to his untimely death at Gallipoli - it's a story straight out of the history books.

"He was the first Freestone boy to die during the Great War," Mr Skinner recounted.

"He was a very important part of the war effort from the district."

He wasn't the only.

Alfred Petersen was killed in action in France in July, 1917.

Thomas Campbell was wounded and died in France on July 9, 1917.

"Freestone has a fine history of service to Australia," Mr Skinner said.

"A number of those young men were killed."

The names and faces of the brave men who went off to war grace the walls of the Freestone Hall.

Taking pride of place on the wall is a hand painted tribute to the World War One heroes - including a photo of Walter Smale.

A print of the historic painting has been donated by the Freestone Hall Committee to the Warwick RSL sub-branch.

"It'll be hung in the sub-branch memorabilia area," Mr Skinner said.