Remembrance

It is that time of year where we remember those that died during both World Wars - First World War (28th July 1914 - 11th November 1918) (4 years, 3 months, 2 weeks) and the Second World War (1st September 1939 - 2nd September 1945) (6 years and 1 day). Virtually all parts of the country were affected by the killings of the wars. Although there are a tiny number of villages, that became known as "Thankful Villages". Author Arthur Mee during the 1930 identified that were 32 such places, of those 14 where men came home from both wars.

How did the Poppy become to used as the sign of remembrance?

They were mentioned in the memorial poem In Flanders Fields, 1915, by John McCrae. He wrote the poem after presiding over a funeral of a fellow soldier, whom had been killed during the Second Battle of Ypres, 1915. In the poem, McCrae writes

In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

Sadly McCrae himself was killed during 1918.

After the war, Miona Michael, an American professor and humanitarian was inspired by McCrae's poem penned We Shall Keep the Faith, November 1919.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields

Whilst helping and providing finical and occupational support to disable servicemen, she pursed the selling of silk poppies to raise funds for these ex-servicemen.

Due to her efforts that the poppy was adopted as a symbol of remembrance. By 1921 it was first seen in the United Kingdom, when it was brought by Anna Guerin, a French woman. The newly formed British Legion, ordered 9 million., when they sold on 11th November.

1922 the Poppy Factory was set up by Major George Howson employing disabled ex-servicemen.

From the early poppies made of silk to what we have today, they have the same meaning of remembrance.