The family of a decorated World War I soldier who died in battle in France's Western Front has commemorated his long-lasting impact with a new war memorial park on the banks of the Murray River in Victoria.

Robinvale's founders Herbert and Margaret Cuttle named the town in memory of their son Lieutenant George Robin Cuttle, a 22-year-old soldier who died when his plane was shot down on May 9, 1918.

Records show Lieutenant Cuttle's body was never found, and in early 1923, his mother and sister travelled to France where they were led by locals and members of the 49th Squadron to a crater in a field near Caix, south-east of Villers-Bretonneux.

Descendant Alison Black said when Lieutenant Cuttle's mother Margaret returned to the family property in Australia, she erected a hessian banner with the wording 'Vale Robin' outlined in flowers.

This led to the settlement being called Robinvale.

Twice rejected for enlistment, Lieutenant Robin Cuttle became a decorated soldier. ( Supplied: Cuttle family )

Ms Black said her great uncle was determined to go to war but was twice rejected before finally being accepted on his third attempt.

After serving in France as a battery commander in the Royal Field Artillery, he was awarded the Military Cross.

Ms Black said his determination to fly was a testament to his character.

"He was just a very persistent young man. He had a dream and he pursued it. He wanted to fly, and he flew," she said.

Lieutenant Cuttle and Canadian pilot Lieutenant Leckie were returning from a successful bombing raid in the German-occupied French town of Peronne, when they were attacked by about 30 aircraft.

Ms Black said her great uncle would be honoured but humbled that Robinvale was named after him.

"He would probably be very impressed with it but perhaps overawed by it," she said.

"I don't think he would think that he was worth that because a lot of people died, not just Robin," she said.

Alison Black, descendant of Robin Cuttle, in front of the family homestead Robinswood. ( ABC Mildura - Swan Hill: Simon Galletta )

Twin-town war history

The Robinvale Euston War Memorial Park, 10 years in the making, opened today to mark the centenary of the battle of Villers-Bretonneux.

The park at Robinvale on the Murray River, east of Mildura, is a memorial to all who served in wars and conflicts and recognises the town's special connection to Villers-Bretonneux.

The park features a museum and interactive experiences to screen annual Anzac Day services live from Villers-Bretonneux.

The war memorial park committee chairman Jim Holland said hundreds of people had helped to bring the memorial park to fruition.

"It's a great day for Robinvale and a chance for the town to really showcase itself and because of its rich military history, it's really poignant," he said.

Mr Holland said the design of the park centred on the army's rising sun hat badge, but also marked the air force and navy's contribution to war.

"The town had very little to show for its rich history — you could drive through the town 10 years ago and see very little of that history," he said.

"Growing up as a kid here, all of my neighbours without exception were military people."

As well as having a twin-town connection with Villers-Bretonneux, Robinvale has a proud history of being a soldier settlement area.

The north-west Victorian town's connection with Villers-Bretonneux runs deeps, with many streets in Robinvale named after significant war battles and Caix Square named after the area near Villers-Bretonneux where Lieutenant Cuttle's plane was found.

There is a Robinvale Square in Villers-Bretonneux and following the 'twinning' of the two towns in 1984, Lieutenant Cuttle's family donated his uniform to the Villers-Bretonneux Museum.