For the first time in just as long, the Launceston RSL City Brass Band will play the Tasmanian anthem alongside the war's memorial in City Park - as historian and event organiser Reg Watson suspects may have occurred when the troops left Tasmanian shores.

Mr Watson said the ceremony - first held in Tasmania before being picked up in other states - was to remember those who fought in the "forgotten" South African war of 1899-1902.

"Every year it seems to grow in attendance," he added. "It is a colourful ceremony with many volunteer groups involved. However, the main attention is to honour those who served."

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The Tasmanians killed in the war number 42, Mr Watson said. Two of the approximately 850 who served were awarded the Victoria Cross.

The event will feature an opportunity for the public to lay flowers and wreaths, and follows one in Hobart earlier in the month. A lone piper will play a lament and cadets will attend to form a mounted guard.

Retired doctor Dr Frank Madill AM will host the ceremony, and said the focus was on remembering to ensure it never happened again.

"It's a shame if young people forget where we've come from," Dr Madill said. "We don't want to go to war again in Vietnam or South Africa or anywhere for that matter."

"I'd like to think that we are remembering all of the [civilian] casualities as well."

The event will be held at the Boer War memorial in City Park from noon on Sunday. It will move to the rotunda in the event of wet weather.

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