Scores of people across the country are buying poppies to show their support for the Armed Forces community as Remembrance Day approaches.
The Poppy Appeal, run by the Royal British Legion (RBL), helps to provide vital support for serving and ex-serving personnel and their families - and ensures their sacrifices are never forgotten.
But why do we wear poppies and is there a correct way of wearing them? The Royal British Legion has put together a list of 11 things you might not know about the poppy. These are listed below. You can find out more here.
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1. Wearing a poppy shows support for Armed Forces, veterans and their families
It represents all those who lost their lives on active service, from the beginning of the First World War right up to present day. It also honours the contribution of civilian services and the uniformed services which contribute to national peace and security and acknowledges innocent civilians who have lost their lives in conflict and acts of terrorism.
2. The poppy has been a symbol of Remembrance for over 100 years
The poppy became a symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future in the aftermath of the First World War. Since 1921, RBL collectors have been at the heart of the Poppy Appeal. And this year they are back in communities across the UK to collect donations.
3. There is no 'correct' way to wear a poppy
Wearing a poppy is a personal choice reflecting individual and personal memories. It’s a matter of personal choice whether someone chooses to wear a poppy and how they choose to wear it. From paper poppies to pins, bag charms to pet poppies, the best way to wear a poppy is simply with pride.
4. The poppy is red because that’s the natural colour of the poppy flower
During the First World War previously beautiful countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over, again and again. The landscape swiftly turned to fields of mud where little or nothing could grow. But out of this devastation the delicate but resilient bright red Flanders poppies grew and flourished in their thousands.
5. The red poppy directly supports the Armed Forces community
The red poppy is worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces communities across the UK, Allied Forces and the Commonwealth. Only donations from the sale of RBL's red poppies go directly towards helping the Armed Forces community.
6. Poppies are sold in every community across the UK
Every year the rumour that poppies have been banned in some communities resurfaces. This is simply not true and each year thousands of volunteers from all walks of life take to the streets, train stations and supermarkets around the country to help RBL raise vital funds for the Armed Forces community. Everyone who wants to take part in remembrance can do so, either by making a donation for a traditional poppy, or by taking part in other activities.
7. A poem inspired the use of the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance
Shortly after losing a friend in Ypres in 1915, a Canadian doctor, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was inspired by the sight of poppies growing in battle-scarred fields to write his now famous poem 'In Flanders Fields'. The poem inspired American War Secretary, Moina Michael, who bought poppies to sell to her friends to raise money for servicemen in need after the First World War.
This was adopted by The (Royal) British Legion in 1921 who ordered a million poppies from Anna Guérin in France and commissioned a further 8 million to be manufactured in Britain. These were sold on 11 November that year in the first ever Poppy Appeal. The poppy has been adopted as a symbol of Remembrance ever since.
8. Poppies weren’t always sold with leaves
Like the natural flower, the original version of the poppy did not feature a leaf. A leaf was first introduced in the 1960s and they slowly became an optional extra. By 1984 demand for them had grown to 12 million a year, and in 1995 poppies with leaves included were made available for the first time.
9. Donations for poppies helps families in different ways
Money raised during the Poppy Appeal helps the RBL support the Armed Forces community in lots of different ways, including providing financial advice to veterans like Lawrence Philips who was struggling to adapt to civilian life and at the mercy of a payday loan company when Covid-19 meant he couldn’t work. You can read Lawrence's full story here.
10. And funds recovery services like the Battle Back Centre
The Poppy Appeal also helps fund services like the Battle Back Centre - the first port of call for wounded, injured and sick service men and women as they start their Individual Recovery Program.
11. Poppies are recyclable
All of the parts of the poppies can be recycled. After Armistice Day you can recycle your poppy at any Sainsbury’s supermarket. RBL is committed to reducing the impact poppies have on the environment and is working to remove all single use plastic in the future.
There are also a variety of enamel poppy pins you can wear instead of a paper poppy and the RBL has a range of alternatives available from its Poppy Shop at www.poppyshop.org.uk.
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