The Mount Gambier Community RSL will hold a celebration this Saturday to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Soldiers Memorial in Vansittart Park.

The commemorative service will be held in conjuction with the Mount Gambier City Council and the Grant District Council, starting at 10:30am at the memorial site.

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

Mount Gambier RSL president Bob Sandow said he wants to educate people on the history of the RSL and remembering the fallen soldiers who served our country.

“It will help people understand why we do some of the things we do on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day,” he said.

“Our forebearers within the community, over time raised a large amount of money to have the memorial built where it now stands in the magnificent gardens.

“When we are honouring the memorial we are celebrating the forebearers that built the memorial and the people that paid the supreme sacrifice for us to live the life we do today.

“It is a part of the history of Mount Gambier and a lot of local people have their family members inscribed on the memorial.”

There will be three light horsemen from the Naracoorte Light Horse Regiment attending and vintage cars of the era from the Mount Gambier Veteran and Vintage Car Club paying their respects.

Despite the celebration not being a wreath laying ceremony, several wreaths will be placed on the memorial and there will be time for community members and schools to place a wreath on the memorial should they wish to do so.

At the conclusion of the service there will be recitals by the City of Mount Gambier Brass Band who will be playing tunes from the era and the Highland Pipe Band.