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We are fortunate to own two of the ceramic poppies that were part of the remembrance display at the Tower of London last year.

poppy 1

poppy 2

The 888,246 poppies were placed in the moat of the Tower between July and November. I visited the Tower on several occasions during those months, so saw the progress as the carpet of red grew. It was a stunning and moving sight, an original yet simple statement of remembrance.

ToL 1

ToL 2

ToL 3

The poppies captured the public’s attention in a way that many permanent memorials do not. Along with the Cenotaph in London’s Whitehall, here are two relatively new WW2 memorials in London – Women of World War Two – RAF Bomber Command.

London 1

London 2

London 3

London 4

Here in Hobart, during 1918 and 1919, a quarter of the city’s population took part in planting 510 trees along a Soldier’s Memorial Avenue in the city’s Domain. A tree and a plaque in remembrance for each of the Hobart citizen’s who died during the First World War.

One hundred years on, some tree’s have been replanted but the avenue is still a poignant and peaceful place overlooking the river, city and cenotaph.

Hobart 1

Hobart 2

Hobart 3

Hobart 4

Even though the main celebration in Australia is ANZC DAY in April, with a
dawn service and parade, poppies are sold here in Australia and there will be a silence to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, when WW1 guns fell silent.

As we continue to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, it is a time to remember all wars and conflicts, all military personnel involved.

“Lest we forget”.