The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-11-04, Page 36Poppy has 1 in- ghistory as 'Fiower of Remembrance'
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The Flanders Poppy was first described
as the ' `Flower of Remembrance" by Col-
onel John McCrae, who before the First
World War was a well-known Professor of
Medicine at McGill University in
Montreal.
He had previously served as a gunner in
the South African War, and at the outbreak
of the First World War decided to join the
fighting ranks. However, the powers -that -
be decided that his abilities could be used
to better advantage and so he landed in
France as a Medical Officer with the first
Canadian Army contingent.
At the second battle of Ypres in 1915,
when in charge of a small first-aid post and
during a lull in the action, he wrote, in pen-
cil, on a page torn from his despatch book,
the following verses: poppies blow
In Flanders' fields the popp
Between the crosses, row on row,
That marks 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 verses were sent anonymously to
"Punch" magazine, and published under
the title "In Flanders' Fields".
In January 1918 Colonel McCrae was
brought as a stretcher case to one of the
big hospitals on the channel coast of
France. On the third evening he was
wheeled to the balcony of his room to look
over the sea towards the cliffs of Dover.
The verses were obviously in his mind, for
Official opening of the canteen m November, 1959 Left to right: Joe Field representative; M
Chambers, Property Chairman Reg Cleator, Provincial Legion William Skinner and Ja
he told the doctor who was in charge of his
case:
"Tell them this,
If ye break .faith with us who die, we shall
not sleep". •
The same night Colonel McCrae died. He
was interred in a beautiful cemetery on
rising ground above Wimereux from
where the cliffs of Dover are easily visible
on sunny days.
The First World War finally came to an
end in November, 1918, when an Armistice
was declared, so that peace -terms could be
arranged. At 11 a.m. on November 11th,
the last shot of the War was fired.
For many years afterwards Armistice
Day was observed on the 11th of November
but now it is known as Remembrance Day.
An Americ lad Miss Moina Michael,
had read the em nd was greatly im-
pressed, particularl by the
last
to verse.
rse.
The wearing of a popp pp
be the way to keep faith, and she wrote the
reply:
"The Victory Emblem"
Oh! You who sleep in Flanders' Fields,
Sleep sweet — to rise anew;
We caught the torch you threw,
And holding high we kept
The faith with those who died.
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders' Fields.
And now the torch and Poppy red
Wear in honour of the dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught:
We've learned the lesson that ye taught
In Flanders' fields. .
On November 9th, 1918, only two days
before the Armistice was signed, Miss
ayor Ernie Fisher, Branch 109 President
ck Bateson, of Wingham Branch.
ivucnaei was presented with a small gift of
money by some of the overseas War
Secretaries of the YMCA for whom she
worked, and whose Conference was being
held at her house. She told them about the
two poems, and announced that
she was
ith the
going to buy 25 red poppies
money. This she did. She wore one herself,
and each Secretary there bought one from
her. It is claimed, probably rightly, that
this was the first group selling of poppies.
The French Secretary, Madame Guerin,
had a practical and useful idea. She visited
various parts of the world to suggest that
artificial poppies should be made and sold
to help ex -Servicemen and the,ir
dependents in need.
As a result, the first ever Poppy Day was
held in Britain on November llth, 1921.
The poppies were obtained from a French
organization, which used its profits to help
children in war -devastated areas.
.. We
Together . Will Remember,
sa
communitynewspaper, The Goderich ,Signal-
Star prides itself .on reporting and recognizing the
dynamic and supportive organizations present in
our community.
It is in this same spirit that at the Signal we extend
our best wishes and salutations to the Legion for
their dedicated community support for 60 years.
CongratulatiOfls
Gk!iederich
SIGNAL-STAR