Widows honour fallen loved ones at pilgrimage to Shrine of Remembrance

More than 330 widows attended the Sunday Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Remembrance on Sunday, to celebrate the memory of their husbands and partners ahead of Remembrance Day.

Alva Lewis at the Shrine of Remembrance for the annual Legacy service for war widows. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

War widows celebrated the memory of their husbands on Sunday ahead of Remembrance Day.

More than 330 widows attended the Sunday Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Remembrance.

Speeches and a sermon were delivered to the crowd of women to honour their loved ones and “share in friendship”.

Representatives of the Legacy Club of Melbourne, the Widows Committee and Legacy Branch clubs laid wreaths by the eternal flame as a symbol of remembrance.

More than 330 war widows attended the Shrine of Remembrance today to remember their late husbands. Picture: AAP

Widows pay their respects ahead of Remembrance Day.

Alva Lewis, 91, said she had been coming to the event for eight years to celebrate the memory her husband, Robert Lewis.

“I remember him every day and all the things he used to do,” Mrs Lewis said.

Mrs Lewis said she loved coming to the event and meeting other widows.

“I think our boys did a marvellous job and I’m very proud to be a widow.”

The couple married after Mr Lewis returned from serving in the air force as an air armourer in Morotai from 1944 – 1945 during World War II.

Alva Lewis remembers her husband, Henry Lewis. . Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Robert Lewis served with the RAAF during WW2.

Mr Lewis died in 2010 after they were married for 60 years.

Mrs Lewis then joined Legacy – a charity that helps suffering families after the death or injury of a spouse.

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The president of Melbourne Legacy Hugh Roberton said the Sunday Pilgrimage kicked off Legacy Week – a fundraising campaign that aims to raise awareness about the organisation.

“For every Australian in uniform who risks everything, their family does the same,” Mr Roberton said.

“Our aim is to get families on their feet again,” he said.

Mr Roberton – who spoke at the Sunday service – said the organisation offered a range of support services, including mental health programs and camps for children.

“We support older widows, young families and kids,” Mr Roberton said.

The Minister for Veterans Robin Scott also attended the hour long service and said it was important to recognise the “burden of sacrifice” endured by families of veterans.

The annual pilgrimage has been running for 74 years.