IN 1914 when the first shots were fired in World War I, Bathurst's population numbered around 10,000 - less than one-sixth of the number of Australians who died before peace was declared in 1918.

From the sands of the Gallipoli peninsula to the Western Front and the Middle East, the conflict saw 60,284 Australians killed and another 152,284 wounded.

It was those who fought in World War 1 and for the servicemen and women who followed in their footsteps in the 100 years since that Bathurst residents gathered to honour yesterday morning.

From those in strollers too young to understand the significance of the occasion to those with medals on their chest and a tear in their eye, the crowd was the biggest to assemble for a Bathurst dawn service in the last decade.

Just before 4.30am, one of All Saints' Cathedral's bells tolled 10 times - one to mark each decade since the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli.

"A hundred years ago similar bells rang ... as young men climbed off ships onto whalers and headed ashore to a landing at Gallipoli," Bathurst RSL Sub Branch president David Mills told the crowd at the War Memorial Carillon in Kings Parade.

"Time dims the ordinary memory of events, but not great events. In a nation's history, great events, whether in peace or in war, live in our memories regardless of time.

"They are deemed great not necessarily for what they achieved, nor for whether they were victories or successes. Rather great events are distinguished by the quality of the human endeavour they called upon, by the examples they created for ordinary men and women and by the legends they inspire and the legacies they have left.

"Such an event was the landing 100 years ago at Gallipoli where the ANZAC legend was born and ANZAC spirit forged."

The Gallipoli campaign ended on December 19-20, 1915, as ANZAC troops were evacuated in a successful piece of deception.

But that was not the end of the First World War for the more than 400,000 Australians who enlisted.

In July 1916 at Fromelles, Australian infantry suffered 5533 casualties in 24 hours.

In 1917 a further 76,836 Australians became casualties in battles such as Bullecourt, Messines and the Battle of Passchendaele.

By the time the conflict ended, 66 Australians had been awarded the Victoria Cross.

"The achievements of the ANZACs can be measured in other ways than strategy, tactics or battles. Their true achievement was in their courage and determination, their mateship and the sacrifice," Mr Mills said.

"This morning's ceremony is not about the glory of war, for war is something not to be honoured. Today we are here to commemorate, to remember, to honour and to give thanks to Australians who have served.

"Especially those over 100,000 veterans whose names adorn cenotaphs, honour boards, park benches and carillons such as our all across our country, who gave their today for our tomorrow."

After wreaths were hung, Bathurst residents joined in prayer and a minute's silence - all of them vowing to remember those who had served and those who continue to do so.