Some of the bloodiest fighting of World War One took place in the Flanders and Picardy regions of Belgium and Northern France.
The poppy was the only thing which grew in the aftermath of the complete devastation.
John McCrae, a doctor serving with the Canadian Armed Forces, was deeply moved by what he saw, wrote these verses in 1915:
The poppy was the only thing which grew in the aftermath of the complete devastation.
John McCrae, a doctor serving with the Canadian Armed Forces, was deeply moved by what he saw, wrote these verses in 1915:
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. John Mcrae Be a part of this years' Remembrance Day
and wear your poppy with pride |