An 'Armidale War Memorial Homes for the Aged' committee was formed on 25 November 1952. Many residents attended and over the next two years funds were raised by community and district groups. In May 1954, the Prime Minister promised to subsidise the work on a pound-for-pound basis. Construction was started by volunteers in late July 1954. The building, named 'Willowdene', is a timber residence with a galvanised iron roof, originally constructed for 12 residents. The memorial tablet attached to an exterior wall was unveiled on 3 November 1956. The building was further extended in 2002. Willowdene forms part of the Autumn Lodge Village.