More than 50 years after the end of World War II, the first plaque in honour of Assyrian veterans from both world wars has been unveiled.

A plaque commemorating both Anzac and Assyrian war veterans was installed at the southern end of Honour Ave in Fairfield during a military ceremony on Saturday.

The president of the Assyrian Levies Association, Gaby Kiwarkis, said the plaque was a world first.

"After 50 years since their service in World War II, this is the first time (Assyrian veterans) have actually been honoured on a plaque anywhere in the world," Mr Kiwarkis said.

"It doesn't matter who they are or where they're from.

"They fought for us - we shouldn't mess with their honour and we shouldn't try to steal their glory."

The plaque is in honour of Victorian Lt-Gen Sir Stanley George Savige and Capt Robert Kenneth Nicol, from New Zealand, who helped Assyrian refugees escape the conflict during World War II.

Family members of both men were present at the ceremony on Saturday.

Department of Defence Federation Guards provided a guard of honour, and a number of Assyrian war veterans were present.

Liberal politician Charlie Lynn, a member of the NSW Legislative Council, also attended.

Fairfield councillor Andrew Rohan, who is of Assyrian descent and attended the ceremony, said over two thirds of the Assyrian population was lost during World War I.

"This will remind current Assyrian and Australian generations about the sacrifices that were made over the centuries in our homeland," Cr Rohan said.

"We lost our homeland. The whole nation became a refugee nation."

Mr Kiwarkis said he was relieved to see the plaque unveiled after members of the Assyrian community were criticised for bombarding a council meeting in March to show support for the memorial.

Council voted unanimously at a meeting on March 31 to approve the plan for the memorial plaque.

Mr Kiwarkis said he hoped to have the area around the plaque renamed the Assyrian Memorial Square to honour the 750,000 Assyrians lost during World War I whose bodies were never recovered.

By Zilka Grogan
http://fairfield-advance.whereilive.com.au