Inspired by poignant lines in a poem about First World War battlefields, the American academic and French teacher were the ones who encouraged the wearing of poppy.
Both Anna Guérin and Moina Michael were deeply moved by Canadian John McCrae’s words in In Flanders Fields, the verses of which have become iconic.
Michael sold silk poppies at the U.S. 1918 in order to help ex-servicemen. Then he campaigned for it to be adopted as an official Remembrance symbol. But it was Guérin who organised Britain’s first Poppy Day, in 1921.
She organized the production of poppies and sent a group of British sellers. They were helped by Field Marshall Douglas Haig – who had directed Britain’s forces in the war – and his newly formed British Legion.
Nine million poppies sold in support of the approximately 1.7million war veterans who were either permanently or temporarily disabled due to their service during the week leading to Armistice Day (November 11th)
The Daily Mail’s report of the memorial services at the Cenotaph in London’s Whitehall movingly recalled the ‘vast crowds’, with ‘nearly every man, woman and child in the dense gathering’ wearing a ‘bright red splash of colour – the scarlet poppy of Remembrance Day.’
The poppy was first used in 1918. Millions of people have worn it every year since then to commemorate Armistice Day.
Inspired by the words of a poem about First World War battlefields, it was both a French teacher as well as an American that first encouraged the wearing of poppy. Both Anna Guérin and Moina Michael were deeply moved by Canadian John McCrae’s words in In Flanders Fields, the verses of which have become iconic
McCrae wrote the words, “In Flanders Fields the Poppies blow, between crosses, row upon row”.
Guerin, who had the idea from Michael, successfully lobbied in support of the American and Canadian adoptions and set her sights on Great Britain.
Guerin, who arrived in Liverpool on August 19, 1921, immediately brought examples of French-made poppy plants to Field Marshal Douglas Haig’s newly-formed British Legion. There she presented her plan for an “Inter-Allied Poppy Day”.
She wanted all the allied countries to help veterans and their dependents by selling commemorative poppies.
Haig at first was skeptical but, after checking her credentials and approving the adoption, she agreed to the date of the poppy-day before September ended.
He had ordered 9,000,000 poppies to be printed and sold on the 11th of November.
Guerin was unable to approve the Legion’s final approval and paid out her personal money for the British first remembrance poppy, but she later received reimbursement.
Reports from the Cenotaph Armistice Day Service by The Daily Mail stated that a large crowd gathered at Whitehall long before 11.
“Nearly every window and roof in view of the Cenotaph had spectators. The patient throng of mourners stretched from Whitehall up to Trafalgar Square.
‘Nearly every men, woman and child in the dense gathering had a bright red splash of colour – the scarlet poppy of Remembrance Day.
The Cenotaph’s base was almost devoid of flowers. Women who waited in large crowds to see if they could get there in time, or were already on their way to Westminster at that point had hundreds of flowers and bouquets of poppies and chrysanthemums. Later in the day these blossoms would be placed near the Memorial which praises all those Imperial’s Dead.
The poppies were made from scarlet cloth and were intended – as they are today – to be pinned on coats or put in buttonholes.
Guerin, despite her determination and tireless efforts, was not given credit for her work. Newspaper research by Find My Past, an ancestry website, revealed that Guerin wasn’t often credited, and her remarkable campaign remains largely unrecognized in Britain.
Guérin who organised Britain’s first Poppy Day, in 1921. Guerin arranged for the production of poppies and sent a group of British sellers. They were helped by Field Marshall Douglas Haig – who had directed Britain’s forces in the war – and his newly formed British Legion
Haig initially was skeptical, but after verifying her credentials, he had accepted the adoption of the poppy day in September. Above: Dorothy Haig, his wife and Haig inspecting poppies November 1921
The Daily Mail’s report (left) of the memorial services at the Cenotaph in London’s Whitehall movingly recalled the ‘vast crowds’, with ‘nearly every man, woman and child in the dense gathering’ wearing a ‘bright red splash of colour – the scarlet poppy of Remembrance Day. Right: The Daily Mail’s mention of Anna Guérin and how she was inspired by John McCrae’s iconic poem
In October 1921, a group of volunteers packed artificial poppies to commemorate Armistice Day. These were sold for the benefit of ex-servicemen or women.
In November 1935, Countess Haig (widow to Earl Haig) was seen placing an Armistice Day wreath at the Cenotaph in London.
November 10, 1929: Ex-servicemen with disabilities selling Flanders Poppies on the Westminster Abbey grounds
The 1937 sale of poppies by a Southark nurse dressed in a fur coat in South London was made by a nurse. Poppies have remained a hugely loved commodity since their first sale in 1921.
Although ‘widows’ and ‘children of French soldiers’ were sometimes used in the press, most commonly the term used for first poppy-makers was ‘peasants.
Guerin’s roses were hugely successful upon arriving on November 11, 2001.
They sold out almost immediately and raised more than £106,000 to help veterans with housing and jobs; a considerable sum at the time – roughly £5.3 million today.
This incredible popularity and demand inspired Major George Arthur Howson, MC to arrange for British Disabled Society Veterans to Make Remembrance Poppies in 1922 and establish The Poppy Factory in Richmond upon Thames.
Poppies were in high demand throughout England.
In order to address the problem and satisfy growing demand, Earl Haig’s wife Dorothy founded in Edinburgh, in 1926, the “Lady Haig Poppy Factory” in which she produced poppies only for Scotland.
Pauline and Pamela Chamberlain (then 20 years old) are seen in Leytonstone selling poppies on November 8, 1952.
Moorfields Eye Hospital is a north London hospital that sells poppies. It was established in 1934.
Nation is silent to remember fallen heroes. Camilla lay a memorial cross at Westminster Abbey for the Britons marking Armistice Day.
Rory Tingle is the MailOnline Home Affairs Correspondent
As the nation finally came together after Covid’s relaxation, today saw the Duchess of Cornwall lead Britain in a 2-minute silence.
After spending last year in the home, millions stopped their work and went to 11AM to honor fallen heroes.
Camilla led memorials at the 93rd Field of Remembrance. It was a cold, clear autumn morning in Westminster Abbey.
Camilla, along with hundreds of other veterans of past conflicts, stood still as Big Ben’s chimes rang. All observed silence for two minute as London traffic moved past.
Staffordshire: The Duke and Duchess attended a memorial service at the National Memorial Arboretum. This included readings and musical performances as well wreath laying.
Alok Sharma, President of COP26 at the United Nations Climate Conference in Glasgow also observed the two-minute silence. A single gun was heard from Edinburgh’s castle ramparts.
London saw a Cenotaph service, which is the main focus of the commemoration. Labour leader Sir KeirStarmer marked this moment by a Euston station war memorial.
England’s training grounds in Burton on Trent were where Gareth Southgate, Harry Kane and the rest of their squad stood shoulder-to-shoulder in front a St George’s Cross with half mask.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visits Westminster’s Field of Remembrance for an Armistice Day Commemoration
Camilla bows during the silence of two minutes at 11 AM to commemorate Armistice Day. It is the 11th hour on the 11th day in the 11th month.
On Armistice Day in Britain, millions of people across the nation will attend a service at The Cenotaph in Whitehall.
A service was held at Edinburgh’s Garden of Remembrance, Princes Street Gardens.
England’s Harry Maguire (left-right), Aaron Ramsdale and Harry Kane, as well as Gareth Southgate, manager, observe a moment of silence to mark Armistice Day
A broader view of the England squad falling silent during training at St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent
Cop26 President Alok Sharma (front left) and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon observe a two minute silence in the UK Pavilion at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow
After laying a wreath at London’s war memorial Euston Station, Sir Keir Starmer, Labour leader bows in respect
The Duke and Duchess Of Gloucester at Armistice Day service at the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to Remember the War Dead
The couple laid a wreath at the site in Alrewas, Staffordshire. It is commemorated for those who lost their lives in terrorist acts or duty during the Second World War.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall is in Westminster to visit the Field of Remembrance for Armistice Day.
Camilla, patron of The Poppy Factory is seen outside Westminster Abbey today for the Field of Remembrance. This event has been on the ground of Westminster Abbey since November 1928.
Camilla was most senior of the royals at the ceremony. Similar events occurred in towns around the country.
As part of the capital’s remembrance ceremonies, people pause for a 2-minute silence at Whitehall’s Cenotaph.
Commuters are forced to stop at Waterloo Station, London while people remember Armistice Day
Railway workers with high-vis jackets joined them in marking this moment and stopping their work.
LNER commuters and staff at Newcastle Central Station observe silence for one minute at 11AM on Armistice Day
People stand before observing a two minute silence at the Armed Forces Memorial, at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, Staffordshire
Officers from the police force observe a two-minute silence at the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow, where the Cop26 summit is taking place.
Local government officials will be joined by members of Armed Forces in Edinburgh for a wreath-laying ceremony at Scott Monument.
Nicola Sturgeon of Scotland was the First Minister, while Antonio Guterres from UN were Secretary General. Others also stood silently at Cop26 in Glasgow.
Holyrood’s Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone, together with opposition leaders and John Swinney, led a 2-minute silence at the Scottish Parliament.
Ms Johnstone gave a brief excerpt of Laurence Binyon’s Ode of Remembrance to precede the silence. A bugler played The Last Post before it was played.
Ms Johnstone stood on the steps to parliament’s Garden Lobby and recited The Kohima Epitaph, before the folk song “Follow the Forest” was played on the bagpipes.
Last year, Armistice Day was broken and people remembered their war dead at home. They were also encouraged to remain there in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Traditional Armistice Day celebrations in Britain are held at Whitehall, London’s Cenotaph.
Members of the military and veterans carry wreaths toward the Cenotaph. Although originally meant to be temporary, it was re-instated due to popular demand.
The Cenotaph will host this morning’s Armistice Day ceremony. Onlookers, most of whom are wearing poppies, can watch the proceedings.
Prince Charles met today with The Prince’s Trust Young Entrepreneurs in Brixton (south London) at a Natwest branch.
During his visit, the Prince of Wales was greeted by large numbers of wellwishers.
Theresa May, former prime minister, attended the Armistice Service at Maidenhead Town Hall from her constituency
Her conversation was with Sergeant Mohannad Hussain (97), who had served in British Indian Army.
Chelsea pensioner looks out at the tributes from veterans and members of Armed Forces gathered outside Westminster Abbey.
A ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey, where veterans gathered. In this year’s 93rd Field of Remembrance, veterans will gather before a ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Leeds White Watch firefighters observe silence together with others outside Leeds Fire Station
The two minute silence each year marks the completion of the four years-long conflict in 1918. An agreement was reached between Germany, France and the Allies ‘on November 11th of the 11th day’.
On Armistice Day, people observe a silence for two minutes at the War Memorial in Woking Town Centre, Surrey.
As part of The Veterans Charity’s Poppies to Paddington campaign, thousands of wreaths have been transported to London from all over the country.
The wreath has been seen in the UK before and will now make its way up to the Thames. It will then be carried aboard HMS Belfast (a Second World War Navy battleship) and transported to the Tower of London.
Labour leader Sir Keir Sternmer paid tribute ahead of Armistice day to fallen soldiers and all those still serving in the Armed Forces.
He added: “In an year that saw British forces demonstrate remarkable bravery in saving lives in the evacuation from Kabul, it is important we express our thanks for your sacrifices and all you have done to ensure our safety.
“As each year goes by, we move one step closer to the wars that erupted in the past century, where the armed forces and the people who kept the fires lit, gave so much.
“Rememberance” is always an humbling season of the year because it reminds me, like all of us, of how hard the UK and its allies fought for our country, way of life and democracy through life-ending, life-changing sacrifices so we could enjoy all the freedoms we have every day.
“We will keep them in our hearts.”
LNER commuters and staff at Newcastle Central Station observe silence for one minute at 11am in honour of Armistice Day
LNER workers laid wreaths in Newcastle’s Central Station Memorial, which was silent at 11am
Railway workers and commuters bow in Newcastle Central Stations as part of similar celebrations across the country
1st Battalion of The Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment march through the streets of Liverpool to Our Lady & Saint Nicholas Church before observing a two minute silence to remember the war dead on Armistice Day
Parade in Liverpool (pictured) are just a few of the many ceremonies that will be held across the country on Armistice Day.
The Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment is the Infantry Regiment of the North West of England and has the motto ‘Lions of England’
The Queen holds the title of Duke of Lancaster. This title does not differ depending on whether the monarchs are male or female.
As soldiers marched through Liverpool, the streets were closed for traffic today to make it possible to see their rearview.
Onlookers watched on as members of the 1st Battalion of The Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment walked to Our Lady & Saint Nicholas Church in LiVerpool
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