RSL Sub-Branch president Bruce Scott said the cenotaph currently lists the Boer War as taking place in Southern Africa between 1899 to 1901. The war was actually fought until May 1902.

“Nobody picked the error up until recent times,” Mr Scott said.

“The cenotaph has been there a very long time. I guess most people would know it’s the wrong date, but we never noticed it.”

Mr Scott said many tourists visit the Scottsdale Military Museum, the war memorial park, and the cenotaph.

“People have contacted me about the error,” he said.

Mr Scott said the error reflected badly on both the RSL Sub-Branch and the Scottsdale community.

About 16,000 Australians are said to have served in the Boer War.

“We applied for a grant with the Dorset Council and we were successful, which is great,” Mr Scott said.

“We didn’t want to be known as the town with the wrong date on the cenotaph.

“We don’t want people coming to us and telling us that it’s wrong.”

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The funding was approved through the Dorset Council 2017/18 Small Grants.

The council awarded the RSL Sub-Branch $900 to carry out the project.

Mr Scott said Dunn Stone Industries at Prospect was contacted about correcting the error.

John G. Dunn said the best solution would be to remove the small section of stone with the incorrect number, and replace it with a small indent repair with the correct number.

The work would also involve heading out to the cenotaph with a selection of granite pieces to best match the colour and structure, he said.

“It’s very important that these things get done properly,” Mr Scott said.

“If anyone can do it, it’s John. He’s very experienced with these things.”

Mr Scott said he was assured the repairs to the cenotaph would be completed by the end of the financial year.

Another project being undertaken at Scottsdale is the path to the war memorial.

The names of 368 soldiers that fell during WWI are listed on the pathway, with another 28 to be added.