A quiet moment of remembrance at sunset
Each evening, Lennieve (Lee) Baker pauses to reflect on the life and service of her late husband, World War II veteran Maurice Moore.
Maurice served as a gunner with the Royal Australian Air Force’s 406 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, a pivotal campaign that marked the Allies’ first major defeat of German forces.
Last month, Lee was invited by Families of Veterans Guild to attend a sunset wreath-laying ceremony at Torrens Parade Ground alongside other war widows, marking the 105th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
“It was lovely to be included and to be there with other families,” she said. “It was a very special service.”
Social coordinator for Families of Veterans Guild, owned by Australian War Widows NSW Ltd., Diane Carr, said ensuring families could participate in commemorative services was a key priority.
“Now that War Widows SA has joined the broader Families of Veterans Guild community, we’re pleased to offer a range of outings and activities for any war widows who wish to be involved,” she said.
Lee has lived much of her life in South Australia, growing up across rural communities as her family moved frequently due to her father’s work with the railways. After completing her schooling in Port Lincoln, she followed in the family tradition and worked in the railways office before marrying Maurice.
Together they went on to purchase the Earl of Leicester Hotel in Adelaide, where they worked while raising their daughter, Sally.
Maurice died suddenly at the age of 64. In the years that followed, Lee opened a dress shop on Jetty Road and later worked in local government.
In 2018, Lee moved to ACH Group’s Kapara Mews Retirement Living Village, where she continues to be part of the community.
Reflecting on the commemorative service, Lee said she was proud to see the service and sacrifice of Maurice and so many others formally recognised. She also said her thoughts were with the young Australians who currently have loved ones serving in the armed forces.
Supporting War Widows living within the ACH Group community
War widows within the ACH Group community and the wider community are welcome to contact Diane directly at [email protected]
This connection helps enable families of veterans to support war widows through attendance at events and commemorations, as well as through social support and advocacy.
