This is an item printed in todays local newspaper which I thought may be of interest.( Peterborough Herald & Post.)
FACTS ABOUT THE POPPY APPEAL.
The first offical Poppy Day was held in Britain on November 11th, 1921, inspired by the poem "In Flander's Fields" written by John McCrea. Since then the Poppy Appeal has been a key annual event in the nation's calender.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th Month in 1918 World War 1 ended . Civilians wanted to remember the people who gave their lives for peace and freedom. An American war secretary, Moina Michael, inspired by John McCrae's poem, began selling poppies to friends to raise money for the ex-service community and so the tradition began.
In 1922, Major George Howson , a young infantry officer formed the Disabled Society, to help disabled ex-service men and women from World War 1. Howson suggested members of the society could make poppies and the Poppy Factory was subsequently founded in Richmond in 1922. The original poppy was designed so workers with a disability could easily assemble it and this principle remains today.
More than 36 million poppies 107,000 wreaths and sprays, 750,000 remembrance crosses and other remembrance items will be made at the poppy Factory in Surrey this year.
The Poppy Appeal raised over £26 million in 2006 and 300,000 staff and volunteers organise the Poppy Appeal each year.
People as young as 17.5 years can be sent on active service, so veterans are often much younger than people realise.
There has only been one year ( 1968 ) since World War 11 when a British Service person hasn't been killed on active service.
The legion will be needed for as long as people continue to be affected by conflict. It doesn't advocate war but is simply there to support those who have been prepared to make a personal sacrifice through serving in the British Armed Forces.
For more information visit www.britishlegion.org.uk
FACTS ABOUT THE POPPY APPEAL.
The first offical Poppy Day was held in Britain on November 11th, 1921, inspired by the poem "In Flander's Fields" written by John McCrea. Since then the Poppy Appeal has been a key annual event in the nation's calender.
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th Month in 1918 World War 1 ended . Civilians wanted to remember the people who gave their lives for peace and freedom. An American war secretary, Moina Michael, inspired by John McCrae's poem, began selling poppies to friends to raise money for the ex-service community and so the tradition began.
In 1922, Major George Howson , a young infantry officer formed the Disabled Society, to help disabled ex-service men and women from World War 1. Howson suggested members of the society could make poppies and the Poppy Factory was subsequently founded in Richmond in 1922. The original poppy was designed so workers with a disability could easily assemble it and this principle remains today.
More than 36 million poppies 107,000 wreaths and sprays, 750,000 remembrance crosses and other remembrance items will be made at the poppy Factory in Surrey this year.
The Poppy Appeal raised over £26 million in 2006 and 300,000 staff and volunteers organise the Poppy Appeal each year.
People as young as 17.5 years can be sent on active service, so veterans are often much younger than people realise.
There has only been one year ( 1968 ) since World War 11 when a British Service person hasn't been killed on active service.
The legion will be needed for as long as people continue to be affected by conflict. It doesn't advocate war but is simply there to support those who have been prepared to make a personal sacrifice through serving in the British Armed Forces.
For more information visit www.britishlegion.org.uk
