In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing 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.

The poppy has been the emblem of Remembrance Day (11 November) since 1919 and has been increasingly used on Anzac Day.  Dr John McCrae, the author of “In Flanders Field”, was struck by the sight of bright red blooms on broken ground, inspiring him to write the poem in which he was able to channel the voice of all those soldiers buried under those hardy poppies.  This same poppy also flowers in Turkey in early spring – as it did in April 1915 when the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli.

An American academic Moina Michael first wore a red poppy using it as a symbol of remembrance.  She went on to make and sell red poppies as a way of raising funds for returning servicemen.  Moina was inspired by the first line of Dr McCrae’s poem.

The allied nations soon accepted the red poppy as a flower of remembrance to be worn on Armistice Day.  1921 was the very first year the poppies were assembled on mass in France by many orphans as a gesture of thanks to the returning veterans.  These first poppies were made of silk and fixed by red threads to the collar.  

The Australian Returned Soldiers and Sailors Imperial League, the forerunner to the RSL, first sold poppies for Armistice Day in 1921.  Poppies are now used on the wreaths for Anzac Day, 25 April – the day the Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli.

April 25 is recognised as a day of national remembrance with commemorative services being held across our nation at dawn, the significance of this being the time of the original landing at Gallipoli.  Later in the day, in many cities across Australia former servicemen and servicewomen take part in marches.

Come along and support the students of Our Holy Redeemer Primary School at the Dawn Service in Surrey Gardens, 88-90 Union Road, Surrey Hills this year.  The School Captains will read during the service, while the Vice Captains will lay a wreath on behalf of the school.  Please arrive by 5.45 am for a 6.00 am start.  For details on other services in our local area, download the flyer.

The poppy remains a moving symbol of the need for us to continue to remember, reflect and to pay tribute to all the fallen of every conflict involving all forces and their allies.  

By Kate Baines