For a century, a modest monument in a small Western Australian town has served as a solemn reminder of the close-knit community's contribution to World War I.

The Muradup War Memorial, 17 kilometres west of Kojonup, is believed to be the oldest in the state.

The obelisk was built by the Muradup Football and Cricket Clubs in September 1916 to record the names of 49 members who enlisted for service in WWI.

Thirteen soldiers were killed in action and did not return home.

Hundreds of those diggers' descendants, as well as relatives of Muradup men and women who served in subsequent conflicts, gathered to pay their respects at a re-dedication ceremony commemorating 100 years.

Preserving history for future generations

In 2011, a volunteer restoration group was formed to refurbish the aging monument and build a new display to document the memorial's history and stories of the men whose names it bears.

Group member Robert Sexton said attendance at the re-dedication service on Saturday morning was unexpected and humbling.

The town's current population, which he estimated to be 25 people, swelled tenfold to about 300, including visitors who travelled from interstate to honour their ancestors.

An estimated 300 people attended a service commemorating the Muradup War Memorial's centenary on Saturday. ( ABC Great Southern: Lisa Morrison )

"We didn't expect descendants to turn out in the numbers that they have," Mr Sexton said.

"All they needed was for someone to tell them something was happening and they have turned out in absolute droves to see their relative remembered in a proper, respectful way.

"It is a brilliant result and indicates it has struck a real chord across Australia."

Mr Sexton hopes the community's efforts to document their military history will inspire others to follow their lead.

"This story that we have told can be told in every suburb and every town all over Australia," he said.

Mr Sexton attributed some of the interest in the event to the First World War centennial, commemorated worldwide between 2014 and 2018.

Brothers in arms

Robert and Terry Javens travelled from Geraldton to honour two brothers who fought in the same unit on the Western Front's bloody battlegrounds.

The siblings' great uncle, Private Victor William Javens, was 32 when he was killed in action on August 3, 1917 while fighting with the 44th Australian Infantry Battalion at Messines Ridge, Belgium.

Geraldton brothers Terry and Robert Javens honoured the memory of their great uncle, Victor William Javens, and grandfather, Hollingsworth Philip Javens. ( ABC Great Southern: Lisa Morrison )

His younger brother, Hollingsworth Philip Javens, also served in the 44th Battalion, but was repatriated after suffering trench foot.

Terry Javens said their grandfather lied about his age, claiming to be 21 when he was 17, to follow his older brother overseas.

Robert Javens said Hollingsworth received devastating news when he tried to reunite with Victor.

"He went up to this corporal and said 'where's Vic Javens' and the bloke, not knowing he was his brother, turned around and said 'the poor bastard was blown up two days ago'," Mr Javens said.

He said laying a wreath in their great uncle's honour was a moving experience.

"It's a gut-wrenching thing that one of our ancestors never made it home," Mr Javens said.

"It's very emotional, I get a bit teary eyed. I'm very proud too.

"I would travel the length of the Earth to do this again it's just so important."

Terry Javens said his initial reaction to the commemoration had been "great excitement".

"This is something that's so deeply rooted in our family that we had to come and be a part of it," he said.

"It is history that has to be kept alive."

Community spirit

RSLWA president Peter Aspinall laid a wreath during a memorial service. ( ABC Great Southern: Lisa Morrison )

Returned and Services League Western Australia president Peter Aspinall described the memorial service as "incredibly moving".

"I think we have witnessed here today, one of the most remarkable and wonderful community gatherings to commemorate something that is truly significant to this community," Mr Aspinall said.

"It was remarkable to see the number of people here.

"As far as we know of, [it is] the earliest dedicated memorial to veterans or to those who lost their lives anywhere in Western Australia.

"I think this is a wonderful lead to a lot of communities right across the state, indeed, right across Australia, to actually document everything that sits behind the names that sit on the memorial."