Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a memorial day observed in the UK and the Commonwealth countries on the 11th. of November - at the 11th. hour of the 11th. day of the 11th. month - in accordance with the Armistice signed that morning in 1918 to end the 1st. World War (1914-1918).  Memorial services are held at War Memorials in every town and village in the country on the Sunday nearest to the 11th. of November (that was yesterday) to remember all of the members of the Armed Services killed in all of the conflicts from the 1st.World War to this day.

Photograph by John Beniston

In Flanders Fields 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow 

Between the crosses, row on row,

The larks still bravely singing, fly.

Scarce heard amidst the guns below.

We are the Dead, short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunsets glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders Fields.

Take up the quarrel with the foe;

To you from falling 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.

Written by Lt.Col. John McCrae (1872-1918) Canadian physician, poet and soldier.  This poem was written on May 3rd. 1915 after presiding over the funeral of a friend and fellow soldier, Alexis Helmer.