The first three of Tauranga's 109 crosses have been put in place in a dawn ceremony at the waterfront as part of the city's Armistice commemorations.

Today's crosses represent Raymond Baker, Frederick H. Dodson and Ronald T Matheson, Tauranga's men who fell in April 1915. Baker and Dodson were killed during the Anzac Cove landings on 25 April 1915.

The months that the First World War lasted have been carefully translated into a period of 28 days to represent the time when the soldiers from Tauranga died.

Tauranga's community is invited to come together at dawn between now and 8 November 2018 to join the installation of the respective crosses by cadets from the Western Bay of Plenty Cadet Unit.

Mayor Greg Brownless is looking forward to see the Field of Remembrance evolving day by day, with 109 crosses eventually covering the grass at the waterfront.

'Setting up the crosses is emotional for everyone involved with each individual cross bearing the name of a soldier who had died.

'The field provides a significant opportunity for our community to honour the men who gave their lives at war.

'We commemorate the centenary of Armistice this year and I invite everyone to use this opportunity to connect with our own history.”

The Field of Remembrance is accompanied by the Homecomings: From Tauranga to the Trenches exhibition, telling the stories of our soldiers who made it back to Aotearoa.

It's the final From Tauranga to the Trenches container exhibition open daily from 9.30am to 3.30pm, weather dependent.

After all the crosses are installed, they and the exhibition will be re-located to Memorial Park, the location for the city's official Armistice Centenary Service on 11 November 2018.

Find out more at www.tauranga.govt.nz/armisticeday