Villagers put on a brave face for a memorial dedication service – even though plaques bearing the names of fallen war heroes did not arrive in time.
Three black granite stones were to be built at Nuthall's war memorial for the event.
They have been shipped more than 5,000 miles from India and are understood to have arrived but are waiting to be processed at port in Manchester.
Despite not being ready for the service on September 21, residents went ahead with the dedication service, their spirits lifted with some tunes from Ilkeston Brass Band, prayers and hymns.
They met on the site of the former Millennium garden, in a corner of the Basil Russell Recreation Ground.
Councillor Brian Watson, who has played a pivotal role in the design, planning, purchase and construction of the new memorial said he was devastated it was not completed in time for the dedication ceremony.
He believes the plaques are still in dock and yet to be released to the company who ordered them in June.
"Hopefully they will come this week or the next."
Clergy colleagues the Reverend Canon, Barbara Holbrook, of St Patrick's CE Church, Nuthall, and Nuthall methodist minister the Reverend, Steve Bennett, did the honours with the dedication of the memorial.
Rev Bennett said the outdoor service at the memorial went well.
"The well chosen programme of hymns and Bible passages were very appropriate."
Everyone remembered with pride the 70 men from Nuthall who fought in the First World War, eleven of them being killed in action
They were brothers Cyril, Victor, and Louis Beardsmore Albert Walters, brothers Walter and Ernest Roberts, Jack Booth, Arthur Langley, Thomas Hollis Hall, and George and Harry Priestley.
The landmark event will be recognised again at a Remembrance Day service on Sunday, November 9, by which time it is hoped the plaques will have arrived.
