Inaugural Queensland Field of Remembrance

A message from Australian War Widows Queensland (AWWQ)

War widows from Redcliffe place crosses in memory of loved ones at a Field of Remembrance service.
War widows from Redcliffe place crosses in memory of loved ones.

 

AWWQ held its inaugural Field of Remembrance service at St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane, on 20 October 2025. War widows, family members, dignitaries and the broader community gathered to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Australia. 

AWWQ plans to hold the Field of Remembrance annually around War Widows Day, 19 October, the birthday of Australian War Widows’ Guild founder Jessie Vasey. The tradition began in London in 1928 and inspired the ANZAC Field of Remembrance in Sydney in 1952. 

Queensland’s inaugural service continues this legacy, providing war widows and families a mean­ingful space for reflection and commemoration. 

The ceremony included the lay­ing of official and personal crosses for conflicts from the First World War to Afghanistan. Attendees placed small wooden crosses, each inscribed with the name of a loved one who served. Following the ceremony, guests gathered for morning tea. 

The live-streamed service was a deeply moving occasion. The Ode of Remembrance, the Last Post, a minute’s silence and the Reveille created a solemn atmosphere, filled with reflection and shared remembrance. Each cross placed that morning told a story of ser­vice, courage and enduring love, marking the start of a meaningful tradition for Queensland war widows and their families.

The inaugural Field of Remembrance service at St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane