Gunfire and the sounds of war echoed from the Redland Bay cenotaph as the Redland Bay South RSL recreated the Gallipoli landing, 100 years ago.
More than 6000 people lined the waterfront at Redland Bay before sunrise on Saturday to witness the recreation of one of the most definitive episodes in our nation's history.
Scouts from Mount Cotton, wearing white masks, represented 18 soldiers named on the Redland Bay cenotaph. They laid a rose for each Redland soldier.
The crowd heard a recording of the Aussie troops' arrival on the Turkish beach where they met Turkish soldiers in a makeshift bloody gun battle, while sounds of guns, bombs and bagpipes rang out.
Redland Bay South RSL sub-branch vice-president John Clifton said the recording re-enactment was the best possible way to pay tribute to all soldiers who fought for their country during the First World War.
Mr Clifton, who was also the emcee for the service, said a $10,000 federal government grant made the reenactment possible and paid for some of the special effects.
"With this year being the centenary, we knew we wanted to do something really special, and the Gallipoli re-enactment was just that," he said.
"This is something we have been planning since 2013 and everything you see today came out of my head."
The sub-branch also thanked Redland City Council, the police and the SES for their services.
Mr Clifton said the sub-branch organised the event without outside help from Redlands RSL, based in Cleveland.
The ceremony’s popularity was evident with a huge contingency of school students from Redland Bay, Victoria Point, Thornlands and Mount Cotton.
Along with the reenactment, a highlight of the ceremony was the recital of In Flanders Fields by Redland Bay State School students Emily Carter, Thomas Roselt, Jamie Hersey and Chloe Truswell.
Veterans marched in front of cadets from 136 Army Unit, TS Diamantina and Redland piper Roy McQueen, for the 4:45am service.
Many at the Banana Street cenotaph were Vietnam veterans, there to watch the sun rise at 6.08am over the sub-branch’s third flag-raising event.
Despite the sentimental history, the mood was sombre as the catafalque party took up its post around the cenotaph.
It was the second time Cleveland Catholic priest Fr Ashley Warbrooke presided over the service.
Bowman MP Andrew Laming explained the significance of the war efforts.
The crowd was roused as Leah Lever sang Advance Australia Fair and God Defend New Zealand.
The sun was still not fully risen as the wreath-laying ceremony started.
Redland Bay State School students recited In Flanders Field before the crowd was taken back in time to the landing on the beaches of Gallipoli with the reenactment.
Redland Bay sub-branch president Herb Shapcott gave the Ode to the Fallen and Birkdale trumpeter John Allen played the Last Post and Reveille.
Redland Bay South sub-branch member George Bedford raised the flag to full mast and the crowd bowed their heads for a minute of silence.
Many students, such as Lainey and Alyssa Beutel from St Rita's, took the chance to place posies at the cenotaph.
Redland Bay Senior Sergeant Steve Graham, officer in charge of Redland Bay police station, placed a wreath on behalf of Digger Fred White, a policeman from Gladstone, who died at Gallipoli beside his brother.
Others, including Lyn Clarkson and children Kurtis, Charlotte and Bethany Dunn, watched proceedings from the sidelines.
Special mentions also went to the Redlands Combined Catholic School choir which included Emma Hounslow from Saint Mary MacKillop School.
The Redland Bay Men's Shed, which erected a speaker's podium and the Redland Bay branch of the SES also played crucial roles in ensuring the event went off without a hitch.