The Kapyong Service took place on Monday hosted by the Royal South Australia Regiment Association (RSARA) and supported by the Mount Gambier RSL.

The last remaining Limestone Coast Korean War veteran Roy Underwood and the wives of two late local Korean War veterans attended the service which honoured a large battle in the Korean War.

A host of dignitaries were present including Ben Hood MLC, Mayor of Mount Gambier Lynette Martin OAM, Grant District Mayor Kylie Boston, Member for Barker Tony Pasin and Limestone Coast Commander Superintendent Campbell Hill.

Mount Gambier RSL president Bob Sandow said the service started around 12 years ago under the Royal South Australia Regiment Association.

“Bill Hateley was a very valued member of that (RSARA) and a past president and he came to the meeting one night and told us about Roy Underwood and his friend called Malcolm Clamp who each Kapyong Day would hold a service of their own and place a wreath in memory of their mates,” he said.

“The Royal South Australia Regiment Association said ‘we will go down and support Roy and Malcolm’ because … we knew of Roy, but we did not know what he was doing.

“It went very well, there was more people than normal, more dignitaries attended than normal and more wreaths were laid than normal.”

Reidy Park Primary School sports and school captains accompanied by principal Craig Scerri laid out the Anzac crosses for the third consecutive year.

Royal South Australia Regiment Association president Lyndon Manser hosted the service, Royal Australian Navy Captain Ben MacDonald recited the US Presidential Unit Citation and Reverend John Deer led a prayer.

The ceremony is styled on the Mount Gambier RSL Anzac Day service so wreaths were laid, the Last Post was played and The Ode of Remembrance recited.