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# Last World War One widow lays wreath at National Memorial Arboretum
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/last-surviving-world-war-one-widow-lays-wreath-at-national-memorial-arboretum/
- Published: 2013-11-11T17:05:38.000Z
- Updated: 2013-11-11T17:06:01.000Z
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Heritage, Alrewas, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 20:48, News

[![Dorothy Ellis lays a wreath at the National Memorial Arboretum](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dorothy-ellis-lays-wreath.jpg)](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2013/11/11/last-surviving-world-war-one-widow-lays-wreath-at-national-memorial-arboretum/dorothy-ellis-lays-wreath/)

Dorothy Ellis lays a wreath at the National Memorial Arboretum

The last surviving First World War widow has laid a wreath at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark Armistice Day.

Dorothy Ellis, from Iddesligh in Devon, visited the Alrewas venue in memory of her late husband Wilfred who inspired the best-selling book War Horse.

The 93-year-old visited the Gallipoli Memorial as part of a day of remembrance held at the Arboretum.

“I have had a wonderful day,” Dorothy said. “It’s been such an interesting and moving experience and I can’t think of a more fitting place to commemorate Armistice Day and to remember those who have lost their lives serving our country.”

A service and two minute silence also took place on the Armed Forces Memorial.

Sarah Montgomery, managing director of the Arboretum, added: “The Armistice Day Service is one of the key annual Remembrance events held here and, on the eve of the First World War Centenary commemorations, we are particularly honoured to have Dorothy Ellis with us as our special guest.

“We would like to thank everyone who took part in today’s Service of Remembrance and came to pay their respects to our fallen servicemen and women.”