Poppy Appeal 2017: Royal British Legion Drone Footage Captures Poem Spelled Out In Flowers

Verses from a famous World War One poem have been written using poppies in seven locations across Britain and France.

In Flanders Fields, by Canadian officer John McCrae, was written after the bright red flowers bloomed in the otherwise barren battlefields, despite the death and destruction that preceded them.

The flower came to be regarded as a symbol of hope and of remembrance of the sacrifices made in war.

The poem lines – filmed with a drone on behalf of the Royal British Legion – are located at Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, on Dunkirk Beach, on the White Cliffs of Dover, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, in Cardiff Bay, at Salford Quays in Manchester and outside the Sage in Gateshead.

Director of Fundraising Claire Rowcliffe said: “The Poppy Appeal 2017 is encouraging the public to recognise that your poppy supports the Armed Forces community past and present, and is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope.

“The work of the Legion is as relevant and vital today as it was in the aftermath of the First World War when the charity was founded. The donation for your poppy will help the Legion support today’s Armed Forces community through hardships, injury and bereavements.

“We’re encouraging people to dig deep for this year’s Poppy Appeal to help us raise £47 million. The Legion’s work is entirely dependent on the public’s generous support – so please wear your poppy with pride.”

In Flanders fields, by John McCrae, May 1915  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.