It's that time of year again...

[English Bloke]

It's coming around to that time of year where we make the effort to remember the men and women, past and present in our various Armed Forces and quite a few countries observe November as their time to reflect.

This year (as you are probably aware) is the 93rd anniversary of the First World War Armistice. The emphasis will be on the 11-11-11-11. As in, 11am on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, 2011. (It's never happened before and won't again for a hundred years).

If you, like me take an interest in remembering, you may wish to accessorise your Kilt (or bonnet or jacket lapel) with some "poppy" related article or protect yourself from the remembrance parade rain with a big poppy brolly.

All these things and more are available from the Royal British Legion Poppy Shop website (clickety click)

Often around now, there are questions posed on here asking about poppies and poppy stuff and how to get hold of them so I just thought I'd let you know. The RBL are a very worthy charity too, I encourage you to support them.

[theborderer]

Have already placed my order. Having had mates of mine never return.

[davidg]

All these things and more are available from the Royal British Legion Poppy Shop website (clickety click)

Often around now, there are questions posed on here asking about poppies and poppy stuff and how to get hold of them so I just thought I'd let you know. The RBL are a very worthy charity too, I encourage you to support them.

The Royal British Legion are, as stated, a worthwhile charity. What some may not realise though is that they only raise funds for service and ex service personnel resident in England and Wales

Scotland has its own, entirely separate, Royal British Legion Scotland and this year celebrates the 90th anniversary of the Scottish Poppy Appeal, which supports service and ex service men and women in Scotland. Even the shape of the poppy is different to that of England

So, support the RBL if you can, but don't forget the RBLS as well as they receive nothing from the donations made to the RBL or from that poppy appeal. Both organisations need funds to continue all the good work and even more so now that ten years after 911 we have the largest group of multiple limb loss injuries caused through the resulting conflict and the extensive use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

[Laird_M]

Yes, it is and I'm going to feel it real bad this year!

Aside from being the 20th out of the Army, its also the 5th anniversary of the passing of my old CO and his lovely lady wife.

I may be reading the Prayer for the Fallen on behalf of our scouts, which despite being a supreme honour, may make it even more difficult to get through it.

I just hope I can get my old uniform on.

I didn't realise there were two organisations so will have to investigate getting something from both...
http://www.legionshop.co.uk/

[Jordan]

My work started selling Poppy's last week and I started wearing on on my cadet uniform as I do every year until after remembrance day.

I also have one on my work and civi jackets.

[cessna152towser]

No, I never knew there were two separate appeals, one for RBL and one for RBLS. I live on the Scottish side of the Border but I always contribute to the poppy appeal at Carlisle in England through the air museum where I am a volunteer. Yes I will be wearing my poppy and my Royal Air Force tartan kilt to church on Remembrance Sunday 13th November.

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks for the reminder John, we owe our ex and current servicemen/women a lot.
Lest we Forget

[Mike_Oettle]

Thanks for the reminder, John.
My paternal grandfather was a civil servant (magistrate) during the First World War, but my maternal grandfather was a medical orderly in East Africa.
My wife’s grandfathers both served in France. Her maternal grandfather was in the 4th South African Infantry (SA Scottish) and was one of the handful of men who came out alive from Delville Wood.
Her paternal grandfather was a Mancunian (his father was from Antrim) who joined the Lancashire Fusiliers but, being a short fellow, was transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. (In 1920 the regiment reverted to the older spelling Welch.) His regiment relieved the South Africans at Delville Wood, and he also was one of a handful of survivors. He was recommended for the VC, but was in the end awarded the Military Medal.
My father joined up early in 1940 and served in East Africa. After returning to the Union he went north again with the Royal Natal Carbineers and served in Italy as a platoon commander until he was wounded.
As a wounded officer he had life membership of the South African Legion (an offshoot of the Royal British Legion), but was active in the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH).
I have not joined any ex-service organisation, but I honour the contribution of those who have served.
Regards,
Mike

[zirrow]

I didn't realise there were two organisations so will have to investigate getting something from both...
http://www.legionshop.co.uk/

they do not appear to ship outside the UK. The shop English Bloke will for £6.50 though.

[Kilted Magyar]

There was a time, here in the US, when ladies & gentlemen wore a "Buddy Poppy" to commemorate 11/11. I haven't noticed this display lately. I wonder if we have forgotten. If we have, I am ashamed for my countrymen.