War widows' angel
THE official tributes have faded and the well-meaning sympathisers moved on but the huge hole left in the lives of Australia's newest war widows never goes away.
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THE official tributes have faded and the well-meaning sympathisers moved on long ago, but the huge hole left in the lives of Australia's newest war widows never goes away.
Breanna Till and Tess Crane, whose partners made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in Afghanistan, are relying on an unusual guardian angel to guide them through the darkness.
Ms Till's husband, Sergeant Brett Till, was killed defusing a bomb in March 2009, leaving behind two children and a then unborn son while Ms Crane's partner, Private Ben Chuck, died in a helicopter crash in Tarin Kowt last June.
Into the lives of the two greiving Sydney widows has stepped a 69-year-old retired banker offering desperately-needed support, guidance, advice and a shoulder to cry on.
Gary Pearson is a volunteer carer with Legacy, the organisation which has helped over 100,000 ex-service families since World War I.
Ms Till said his continuing help was a great comfort.
"Gary turned up at the start and the most important part is they stick around to the end, to make sure you are all right - forever. It's the little things, like flowers on mother's day; he gets them for me, he is such a sweet man.
"Nothing can replace the father for the kids but he steps in and does the little things that are missed."
Mr Pearson has volunteered for Legacy for the past 15 years. He also supports Natasha Alpin and her four children whose husband Private Timothy Alpin, 38, died in same helicopter crash that killed Ms Crane's partner.
"I try not to see myself as a replacement, I'm not a substitute for a father but I have discovered that lolly snakes are the greatest invention for bribing kids," he said.
He will never forget the bitter-sweet moment he saw Breanna's unborn baby on the ultrasound screen.
For a man who never had his own children, it was a great privilege but the tragedy that the boy would never know his father was all too real.
"The first scan of the baby, he wasn't there, I was.
"I was right there with her and it was all new to me," said Mr Pearson.
As well as a shoulder to cry on, a Legatee offers financial advice, legal advice and help in the most useful ways.
"He is just a phone call away - no strings attached, no dramas, just help," Ms Till said.
Ms Crane said: "Gary has been amazing, he's there in the background if any issues come up, the smallest thing like help with the plumbing, he has helped me set up financial meetings and help with rent assistance."