In 1914 arguably one of this country's bravest men, was born.

John (Jack) Edmondson, born in Wagga, was the first recipient of a posthumous Victoria Cross Medal in World War II.

Corporal Edmondson lived on the family farm in Brucedale until the age of 2, when the family relocated to Liverpool.

Born during an era of war and conflict, he, like many young men before and after him, joined the war effort.

He fought in the 2/17th Battalion in North Africa, where he was mortally wounded on April 13, 1941.

He died saving the life of his Commanding Officer, for which he received the Victoria Cross.

The family has moved and fought throughout the world, yet a connection to the Murrumbidgee river still flows through its bloodline.

Distant relative Ken Peacock was born in Wagga - just up the track from Edmondson Street on Railway Street.

He has dedicated the later part of his life to researching Jack Edmondson, trying to determine what led him to making the ultimate sacrifice.

"A lot of relatives fought in World War I." Mr Peacock said.

"But as a kid and young man he was very shy and very ill with chronic bronchial asthma.

"What would make a young man do what he did?" Mr Peacock pondered.

Corporal Edmondson was an only child and his death proved to devastate his mother.

Corporal Edmondson's parents' grief led them to living a secluded life on their Liverpool property.

"I was three years old when he died," Mr Peacock said.

His fascination with Corporal Edmondson's life prior to Tobruk and his heroic actions grew with age.

"I looked deeper into the war service records," Mr Peacock said.

He found a long history of armed service dedication among family members.

"I found that a lot of his relatives fought in WWI, and I think the Celtic spirit flows down through the generations," he said.

As the 100th anniversary of Corporal Edmondson's birth draws closer, Mr Peacock is not sure whether he will continue to research the Edmondson family.

"I may have hit a dead end," he said, lamenting he has been unable to locate any direct living relatives.

Yet, Mr Peacock is adamant it was necessary to find meaning behind the letters of Victoria Cross so people could remember the life of a historic man from Wagga.