As Remembrance Day 2017 is just around the corner, today I have been reflecting a lot on what it might have been like for our soldiers in 1917, “over there” so far from home, fighting for King and Country … in what would has been described by most as Hell on earth … heading into the bitter cold of a northern winter with little comfort, and by that stage of the War wondering if it was ever going to end. And for many, it ended way too abruptly, never to return to homes and families … and for those who did return, life was forever changed … not just for them but for their families, their communities and our nation as a whole.
It’s hard to fathom from the comfort of my loungeroom, the scale of the loss of life and the misery of that terrible war and all the wars that have come since.
And I am feeling grateful for the service and sacrifice of all of our servicemen and women, their families and their communities.
So, this Remembrance Day, please show your respect by wearing your poppy with pride and gratitude, and, if you are so inclined … support your various veterans charities as best you can.
5000 POPPIES 
We will always remember them
Yes we will Pauline.
I commend your project however I suggest that you consider making white poppies as well. The white poppy commemorates the lives lost in all wars as collateral damage. The civilians the supporters not in uniform the conscientious objectors who served as stretcher beaters, the nurses, the resistance movements. These people are the hidden casualties not recognised in the rhetoric about sacrifice and glory. There is a place next to the red poppy for a white poppy
Thank you for your email Penelope.
What you say is true, and in all of our previous installations, white poppies have been included. However, the AWM have specifically requested only red poppies for this installation. We have asked those who would knit white poppies to include a white centre on their poppies, as an alternative and purple centres to honour the animals lost in war.
Kind regards,
Lynn Berry