Missed our special November issue honouring War Widows Day? Dive into the stories of courage and sacrifice.
War Widows Day, observed annually on 19 October, honours the sacrifices of Australia’s war widows. In 2024, Our November Guild Digest highlighted not only how Families of Veterans Guild celebrated War Widows Day, but told the deeply personal stories of courage and resilience that make this day so significant.
Held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, Sydney, the 2024 War Widows Day Service started with the War Widows Motto, “We all belong to each other. We all need each other. It is in serving each other and in sacrificing for our common good that we are finding our true life”. The day featured personal stories, member tributes and War widows laying sprigs of wattle upon the Cenotaph in silent tribute, a reminder of their sacrifices. The service also celebrated Jessie Vasey CBE OBE, our founder, and past leaders and included messages from the Governor-General of Australia.
War Widows Day address
Former State President Wendy Thompson and Former Board Director Lynne Boyd delivered an address during the War Widows Day service at the Cenotaph, a tribute to two remarkable women: the late Audrey Blood OAM and Diana Bland, who were Former Presidents of the War Widows Guild of NSW.
Wendy and Lynne shared their personal stories through their address. Wendy spoke of her husband, Keith, who enlisted during World War II at just 16. He served in the Solomon Islands, Bougainville, and New Guinea, before passing in 1999. As Lynne spoke on both of their behalf, the War Widows Guild helped her build friendships and get each other through.
Lynne recounted her journey following the loss of her husband, Chicka, a Vietnam War veteran whose life was cut short due to exposure to Agent Orange. Widowed at 55, Lynne spoke of the milestones Chicka missed, including their daughter’s wedding and the chance to meet his grandchildren. Yet, through the Guild, Lynne found a community that understood her grief and supported her healing. “Being a war widow is the last thing I ever wanted to be,” she said, “Yet I am grateful for the incredible and inspiring women I have met since becoming one.”
Each war widow has a story, Wendy and Lynne are two of the 10,700 war widows here in New South Wales. “Our stories are unique to us, but we are connected to these women through our shared experiences of service, sacrifice and love.”
If you missed the our November Digest, revisit its pages to learn more about War Widows Day 2024, the sacrifices and strength of war widows. View all our previous seasonal digests here.
