During World War I, much of the fighting took place on the Western Front (Western Europe). The previously beautiful landscape of the countryside was blasted and bombed, turning it to mud where little to nothing could grow in the bleak and barren area.

The striking exception to the bleakness was the bright red Flanders poppies. These resilient flowers flourished in the middle of the destruction, growing in thousands upon thousands.

Following the loss of a friend in Ypres in spring 1915, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was moved by the sight of the poppies in battle-scarred fields, which led him to write the famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’.

In Flanders’ fields the poppies blow

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.

 

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders’ fields.

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high,

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders’ Fields.

The poppy is a symbol of Remembrance and hope, including hope for a positive future and peaceful world. During Remembrance Day, a moment of silence is observed at 11am.

They are now a show of support for the Armed Forces community, those serving, ex-service personnel and their families; and a symbol of Remembrance for all those who have fallen in conflict. If you wish to donate, then head to the ‘Poppy Appeal’.

Aside from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth nations, the poppy is also worn in France. In the United States, the poppy is worn during Memorial Day and in Australia and New Zealand, they are also worn on Anzac Day.

Interesting facts:

1. Different colours of the Poppy.

Red – The Poppy is red since that is the natural colour of the poppy flower. This is commonly worn during Remembrance Day.

Purple – this honours the animals that became the victims of war. Apart from the soldiers, animals such as horses, dogs, and pigeons were drafted to help the war effort.

Black – the black poppy honours the serviceman, servicewoman and civilians from black, African and Caribbean communities.

White – this symbolises the goal to end conflict and war

2. Poppies are sold in every community across the UK

3. There is no ‘correct’ way to wear a poppy, just wear with pride.

4. The first Poppy Appeal started on 11^th November 1921 when The (Royal) British Legion ordered a million poppies from Anna Guérin in France and commissioned a further 8 million to be manufactured in Britain.

5. A leaf was first introduced in 1960 and in 1995 poppies with leaves included were made available for the first time.

6. All parts of the poppy can be recycled.

Many of our Solihull properties are a good choice of place to stay if you are visiting the area during Remembrance Sunday and plan to see the ceremonies. For instance, Summerfield House, Mulberry House and Blossom House are located a short drive from the town centre. The parade will head through Solihull followed by a Service of Remembrance at the war memorial outside St Alphege Church.