ONE hundred years on from the start of the Gallipoli campaign, crowds gathered to pay their respects to the Anzac troops who lost their lives.

Many Australian and New Zealand soldiers were billeted to Weymouth during the campaign.

Flags were lowered and wreaths were laid in a service of remembrance at the Anzac memorial on Saturday.

Borough mayor Kate Wheller, was joined by Commander Bernard York from the Royal Australian Navy, Les Ames MBE on behalf of the Weymouth and Portland Residents' Association and Lieutenant Peter Jensen from the New Zealand Defence Force.

The flags of the standard bearers were lowered as the Last Post sounded across the bay and a one-minute silence was observed.

One verse each of the Australian, New Zealand and British national anthems were played.

Ben Cartwright, chairman and standard bearer at RNA Portland said: "You can see by the crowd here today that this means a lot to a lot of people.

"There are a lot of Australians here today too.

"We have got to remember them. If we don't remember them they will be forgotten."

The three-sided monolith memorial was unveiled on Weymouth seafront on June 1, 2005 - 90 years after the first Australian and New Zealand Arm Corps Troops arrived in Weymouth after action in Gallipoli in 1915.

The memorial commemorates the thousands of Australian and New Zealand volunteer servicemen who passed through camps and hospitals in Dorset during the First World War between battles in the Middle East and those on the Western Front in Europe.

Veterans and members of the public gathered along the Esplanade to pay their respects and honour those who made the extreme sacrifice and fought 100 years ago.

Weymouth resident Derek Julian, now in his 70s, said he wanted to pay his respects- especially as his father had served with the Anzacs.

Mr Julian said: "My father served with them in the war. I know he was shot and wounded and I remember going to visit the exact place. These people gave their lives for democracy - it's nice to see so many people here.

"I can remember being with my father at the Pavilion when the troops came back in 1934. Every time you hear about this, it moves you.

"They were brave men."

Loving messages such as 'Fallen colleagues - we will remember you' and 'This is for all those who gave their lives for others. God Bless you all' were placed with the wreaths at the memorial.

Cllr Kate Wheller said: "It's a very significant day being the 100th anniversary and I am very proud and honoured to have been part of the service. We have quite strong links between Weymouth and Australia and it's great to see so many here today."