Anzac Field of Remembrance – the symbol of self-sacrifice
A message from Australian War Widows NSW
‘…we are the chief mourners. We must never allow this country to forget the debt owed to its war dead. Not only do we remember, we must be seen to be remembering.’
– Jessie Vasey OBE CBE
Our founder, Jessie Vasey, fought hard for war widows to be recognised at commemorative events. This month, we wanted to tell you a story about one of the most moving commemorative services you will see. It is a story about love, tradition and legacy.
On 20 April annually, War Widows gather at St Andrew’s Cathedral in the centre of Sydney for their own commemorative service. A service which is theirs. One that allows them to remember their loved ones, one that allows all in attendance to be involved. This is of course the story of the Anzac Field of Remembrance.
The Anzac Field of Remembrance was first held in Sydney in 1952 at the instigation of another war widow, C J (Lesley) Pope, after she found a brochure about the UK Field of Remembrance in her mother’s memorabilia. Ever since, it has been the most solemn and important event for war widows. A very personal way for families to commemorate, in person or online, those they loved and lost.
The service is centred around widows and the families of our veterans who continue to carry the burdens of service. It involves the planting of crosses as widows and their children come forward, one by one, to lay their personal tributes to their husbands and fathers gone too soon. For those watching on, it is impossible not to be moved.
Prior to COVID, the ceremony was followed by the planting of crosses in Hyde Park. We are looking forward to bringing this tradition back next year. Following Anzac Day, the crosses were traditionally collected, burnt and their ashes spread in Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney. While the service has changed over the last 70 years, one thing has not: its incredible ability to touch our hearts and help us understand a little more about the sacrifices of the families of our veterans.
So this year, we invite you all to join the service, in person or online. For those who cannot live-stream on the day, the recording of the ceremony will be available on our YouTube Channel.
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