THE POPPY

A POPPY FIELD ON THE SOMME, FRANCE

The Poppy of Remembrance, worn by millions the world over, truly is an international symbol, involving Canada, America, France and Great Britain. Amid the carnage and blood of the First World War, a Canadian Medical Officer, John McCrae, at the start of the Second Battle of Ypres, was moved to write the poem, “In Flanders Fields”. The poignant, and now famous, poem was first published in Punch on 8th December 1915. Colonel McCrae died in France in 1918. That year his poem was printed in the United States. A reader, Moina Michael, was profoundly touched by the verses. On the day that the Armistice was signed, 11th November 1918, a conference of Y M C A Leaders was taking place. Miss Michael went to a department store and bought its entire stock of red paper poppies. She then handed them out to delegates to wear in memory of those who had fallen. Moina Michael instigated a campaign to adopt the Flanders Poppy as the National Symbol of Sacrifice. In 1920 the American Legion gave its approval. The popularity of the Poppy spread throughout the United States and a French woman, Anne Guerin, was asked to help supply the demand. In August 1921, Anne Guerin approached the recently formed British Legion in London with the idea of using the Poppy in Britain. The Legion was in urgent need of funds to carry on its work, the fundraising potential of the little red flower was recognised, and it was decided to give it a try. The date of the Armistice, 11th November, was selected as the next suitable occasion to sell them. With the personal endorsement of Earl Haig, the Founder of the British Legion, the nationwide appeal began. It was a resounding success! Moina Michael’s idea had indeed caught the imagination of the world. Unfortunately, since Colonel McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields”, many more have died in wars and conflicts around the world. Today, the Poppy is worn in remembrance of them all.

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A German Soldier rests among his former enemies. He is the only German Soldier buried in this Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery on the Somme. In War, there are no winners!

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LEST WE FORGET