November marks the return of the Royal British Legion's "Poppy Appeal". The poppy is a symbol to remember those who have lost their lives in conflicts around the world and those who have been killed as a result of terrorism. Remembrance Day or Armistice Day marks the day World War I ended at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918. During the war, the farms, fields and land in France and Belgium that was fought on was left devastated by battle. All signs of life had been virtually wiped out. But one of the first plants to reappear on the battlefields were red poppies. For over 100 years, disabled former soldiers have been employed to make the poppies and proceeds go to assist veterans and their families.
In the spring of 1915, shortly after losing a friend in Ypres, a Canadian doctor, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote his now famous poem after seeing poppies growing in battle-scarred fields.
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.
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