First poppies laid in lead-up to Remembrance Day
THE first poppies were laid in the lead-up to Remembrance Day yesterday, as the dedication of the Field of Remembrance took place at the Smith Street War Memorial.
The annual service marks the opening of the field, where islanders can place crosses to commemorate fallen soldiers, and starts the period of remembrance.
Proceedings were conducted by the Dean of Guernsey, the Very Rev. Tim Barker, while senior officials including Bailiff Sir Richard McMahon and head of law enforcement Ruari Hardy were among those to plant poppies.
Royal British Legion Guernsey president Bob Place, who was second to plant a poppy after Sir Richard, said the event marked the start of the Legion’s poppy appeal, adding that the occasion was good publicity for the cause.
‘Every year we collect about £50,000 from islanders’ generous donations,’ he said.
‘Events like the dedication help to keep those being remembered and their families in the public eye and remind us how important it is to support them.’
Army veteran Gordon Young, 90, also laid a poppy.
Based in Guernsey during the Occupation, he later joined the army aged 17 and was sent to locations including Korea, Germany and Hong Kong.
He has attended the dedication for many years, and said the significance of it stayed with him every year.
‘I know exactly what war is, and all the nasty things that come with it,’ he said.
‘I’ll always be against it.’
