I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Alison Aitken, known by many as the Queen of Canberra, and an icon of the Australian War Memorial for almost 50 years.
Alison’s style and charisma left a mark on thousands of visitors during her three decades of service as a volunteer tour guide at the Memorial. Part of the first intake of guides in 1976, Alison spoke with countless school children, families and veterans about Australian service.
While her stride may have shortened since her first tour of the Memorial some 50 years ago, her drive to remember stories of Australian service never waned. Long after her time as a guide concluded, Alison continued to attend the Memorial as a visitor and regular attendee of commemorative ceremonies.
Alison’s life was personally touched by war. Her brother, Flying Officer Colin Flockhart, was killed when his Lancaster bomber crashed over northern France in 1945; he was 20 years old. Alison was affected by Colin’s loss for the rest of her life.
Colin’s final letter to Alison and her family is part of the Australian War Memorial’s National Collection. The Memorial also had Colin’s words engraved in the stone walkway at the International Bomber Command Memorial in Lincoln, England. This was something Alison was very proud of.
While much of Alison’s time at the Memorial was spent speaking with visitors, she also embraced it as an opportunity for personal reflection.
She would spend time by herself, with her memories, not unlike many other family members of the 103,000 servicemen and servicewomen whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour.
For me, personally, Alison was a treasure to the Memorial. She possessed a strong love of life, and I always looked forward to her visits.
Alison will be dearly missed.
