Tuesday 11 November 2014

The Sea of Poppies

The Sea of Poppies at The Tower of London


The sea of hand made ceramic poppies at the Tower received it's last Poppy today, on  the 100th anniversary of the first world war.
One Poppy for each person killed - almost
900,000 in all.
Hard to imagine that number of people never coming home.
During the four months that they have been building up it is estimated that 5 million people have visited.
Tomorrow they will start to be dismantled.
They have already been sold, the profits going to forces charities.


Lit up at night




21 gun salute


The last Poppy being laid today by a 13 year old cadet


Two minutes silence and the various dignitaries

Lest we forget!

16 comments:

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

It would be very moving to see those in person; it's powerful enough already just reading about it. I remember when I was a child people used to wear red paper poppies (as I see them doing on BBC news) but here in the states I don't see that anymore.

DeniseinVA said...

A marvelous post Barbara. The photos are incredible. How I wish I could have been there to see such a spectacular and poignant sight. Thank you for sharing it.

kelly isadora said...

I have loved watching this installation evolve. Just FYI 2018 will be the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of WWI, I think. The war began in July of 1914, so this is the anniversary year of the beginning of the so-called war to end all wars...if only...

Vee said...

Overwhelming and profoundly meaningful... Wonder how long it will take to dismantle.

Gracie Saylor said...

There was a report on the news last night here in the USA that showed the fantastic Remembrance Day poppy display. There are so many poppies...representing so many people we have to thank for investing their lives in the cause of peace. Thank you for honoring those who gave so much, Barbara.

Lorrie said...

This has been shown on our newscasts frequently in the past few days. Such a moving tribute to all the young lives lost. Hard to imagine. Remembrance Day is always a solemn occasion.

nikkipolani said...

Thanks for this post, Barbara. I'd seen snippets of it here and there. What a touching gesture to remember the sacrifices of 100 years ago.

Elizabethd said...

It has had an amazing effect on people.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

What a beautiful sight that is ! We can never forget all those that give so much.

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Hi Barbara, This is a beautiful, poignant, and AMAZING Remembrance Day tribute! I e-mailed this link to our son so he could see and read about it. :) I am so glad to see people's sacrifices being remembered and appreciated.

I'm sorry I haven't visited in so long; things got really busy around here. Thank you for sharing this post with us; I hope you have a good week.

Hugs,

Denise

Elizabeth said...

This is a most moving memorial. My daughter saw it in person. Wish I had the chance to

Connie said...

Thank you for sharing this, Barbara. I have seen photos before, but each time it truly touches my heart. This is a remarkable memorial.

Kay G. said...

Thank you for this post.
My husband and I saw this in September and I was very surprised to find how moving it truly was.
I think it was a remarkable thing to witness, as a shared experience with all who were there.

Betty said...

Absolutely breathtaking! Barbara are you on Facebook? I mentioned you in a post last week. Would love to be friends. Betty McIntyre

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara, very nicely written and what a wonderful tribute. (Jane)

hazel c UK said...

A lovely post Barbara and the photos are stunning, especially the first one it makes one realize how vast this display was. I to was lucky to go in person and it is a picture I will never forget. My grand dad died on the Somme so a few tears were shed that day I visited.

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful tribute.

Hazel c uk