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The writer and co-producer of the never-before told Australian story, David Roach, grew up in Moruya and his family’s ties to the area go back many generations.

In fact Mr Roach’s late grandfather, Warren Hutchings, owned the camping ground at Congo.

“I think it was a soldier’s settlement,” Mr Roach said.

“My grandfather was in Gallipoli and on the Western Front as a stretcher bearer ... from the time he came back in 1919 until he died in the 60s, every night he woke up screaming.”

When the former Moruya High School student agreed to write Beneath Hill 60, he decided to work in a small scene involving a character based on his grandfather.

“In the middle of the film there is a young stretcher bearer from Australia, just 16, who is played by Tom Green,” Mr Roach said.”

“He appears very briefly, but that’s my grandfather.”

Beneath Hill 60 is set in 1916, underneath the trenches during World War I. It revolves around Queensland miner Oliver Woodward who, under-trained and having never faced hostile fire before, finds himself on the Western Front, the bloodiest battlefield in history.

His 17-year-old fiancé has pleaded with him not to enlist but men with Woodward’s underground skills are desperately needed to counter a deadly German offensive.

The movie was inspired by a diary found during a clean up of the Charter Towers School of Mines.

It is not Mr Roach’s first foray into film - he co-wrote, produced and edited Young Einstein for Village Roadshow/

Warner Bros. The film is listed 14th on the all-time box office successes in Australia. His other films include Reckless Kelly and Mr Accident.

Mr Roach says early reviews for Beneath Hill 60 were “heartening” but cinemagoers will be able to judge for themselves when it opens nationally next week.

“We are incredibly proud of the film,” he said. “What ever happens will be a bonus for me, it’s just been a joy to work on.”