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dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts) Tue Aug 5, 2014, 06:29 AM Aug 2014

WW1 commemorations: Royals to 'plant' ceramic poppies at Tower of London

Each poppy planted in the Tower of London's moat represents a WW1 military fatality

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will join Prince Harry later to "plant" a ceramic poppy at the Tower of London marking the centenary of World War One.

The Blood Swept Lands And Seas of Red exhibition, by artist Paul Cummins, involves 888,246 ceramic poppies planted in the dry moat at the Tower.

A poppy has been made for each British and Colonial death during the conflict.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-28654710

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WW1 commemorations: Royals to 'plant' ceramic poppies at Tower of London (Original Post) dipsydoodle Aug 2014 OP

This is just an overwhelming display - very powerful. Divernan Aug 2014 #1

In Flanders field the poppies blow . . . . Divernan Aug 2014 #2

Divernan

(15,480 posts)

1. This is just an overwhelming display - very powerful.

Reply to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Tue Aug 5, 2014, 06:45 AM

Aug 2014

I posted some other photos on my FB page and people were very moved by them.

Check out this link for more stunning photos.
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/07/tower-of-london-poppies/

To commemorate the centennial of Britain’s involvement in the First World War, ceramic artist Paul Cummins and stage designer Tom Piper conceived of a staggering installation of ceramic poppies planted in the famous dry moat around the Tower of London. Titled “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red,” the final work will consist of 888,246 red ceramic flowers—each representing a British or Colonial military fatality—that flow through grounds around the tower.

Volunteers began placing the poppies several weeks ago and the process will continue through the summer until a final flower is symbolically planted on November 11th. You can read more about the project over on the Historic Royal Palaces website, and see the volunteers’ progress by following the #TowerPoppies hashtag on Twitter.

Divernan

(15,480 posts)

2. In Flanders field the poppies blow . . . .

Reply to Divernan (Reply #1)

Tue Aug 5, 2014, 06:47 AM

Aug 2014

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.

-- Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

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