By the end of World War I in November 1918, most over 360 young men and one woman from the North Otago district had lost their lives in service.
As a mark of respect to those soldiers who had died, Dr Alexander Douglas, President of the Oamaru Beautifying Society, suggested that an oak tree, along with an inscribed cross, be planted for each war casualty from the region.
The memorial oaks crosses can be seen throughout North Otago, cared for by the people of the region out of respect to those who served in distant lands