More than 100 people attended a service honouring the centenary anniversary of the Soldiers Memorial in Vansittart Park on Saturday.

As each part of the service was conducted, an explanation was offered as to what was being done and its origins in military history.

In attendance were Royal Australian Navy Commander Brian Nitschke, RSL South Australian president Cheryl Cates and RSL presidents from Mount Gambier, Robe and Millicent.

There were light horsemen from the Naracoorte Light Horse Regiment and vintage cars of the era from the Mount Gambier Veteran and Vintage Car Club.

Mount Gambier RSL president Bob Sandow said it was an important once in a lifetime celebration.

“It was a fitting day to invite users of the memorial and community members to come along and rededicate the town’s Soldiers Memorial,” he said.

“It is an important memorial because it has stood there silently for a hundred years in all types of weather as the keeper of the names of our fallen.

“I wanted people to know why we did certain things on commemorative days, so the day followed the lines of an Anzac day service with explanations offered at each part.

“I would like to thank the Mount Gambier City Council for their maintenance of the memorial and initial creation of the structure.”

Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin delivered the opening address, speaking about what the memorial meant to the community followed by Mrs Cates who explained the RSL’s connection with memorials.

Mount Gambier Historical Society representative Brian Brooksby outlined the history of the memorial and Mount Gambier Historical Society vice president Peter Bruin discussed what each component of the memorial meant as it was explained by Reverend Samwell in 1922.

Mr Sandow explained where the Ode of Remembrance originated and who wrote it, the origin of the minute’s silence and the reason for the four soldiers standing on each point of the memorial.

While the wreaths were laid, the three methods of paying respect were discussed by Mr Sandow, which included saluting in full military dress, placing a hand over medals, and bowing.

Reverend Murray Earl explained where the Benediction at the end of the ceremony originated, and RSL Blue Lake Highland Pipe Band pipe major Barry Ward enlightened the community as to why the tune ‘Flowers of the Forest’ is played at every commemorative day.

The service was finished with a prayer by Reverend John Deer.