Anzac Day is always an emotional day for war widows. When the traditional services were stopped this year, it was even more so.

In Brisbane, a small service for some of those widows was held at their units in New Farm, where the women were united by the memories of their husbands and their service.

War widows watch musician Alastair Tomkins. Credit:AAP/Dan Peled

Music teacher Alastair Tomkins, who led the music for Anzac Day movement, played The Last Post and the Rouse for the 30 women after playing at dawn for his neighbours.

Resident Mollie Jean Hunt, 95, who came to Australia from Canada as a war bride in 1945, said her husband John would regularly join his regiment to march in Sydney on Anzac Day.