Field of Remembrance facts for kids
The Field of Remembrance is a special garden created every year in Westminster, London. It is organized by a group called the Poppy Factory. This garden is a place where people can remember those who have served in the armed forces, especially those who died in wars.
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What is the Field of Remembrance?
Every year, for eight days, a lawn near St Margaret's Church becomes the Field of Remembrance. This church is located between Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. The lawn is divided into 250 small areas. Each area is for different military groups and associations.
How to Participate
People can buy a small wooden token to remember someone. These tokens were first remembrance crosses. Now, they come in different shapes to represent various religions or even no faith. Each token is usually marked with the name of a service member who was killed in action. Then, it is planted in the correct area for their regiment or service.
A Temporary Memorial
When many tokens are planted, they stand in neat lines. This makes the field look like a temporary military cemetery. It is a powerful sight. After the Field of Remembrance closes, all the tokens are carefully collected. They are then burned, and their ashes are scattered in northern France and Belgium. These areas were major battlefields during the First World War. Any money raised from the event is given to The Royal British Legion. This charity helps members of the armed forces and their families.
History of the Field
The very first Field of Remembrance was held in 1928. It was started by George Arthur Howson. He was an officer in the British Army during the First World War. He also founded and led the Poppy Factory.
First Memorials
In its first year, the Field of Remembrance had only two memorials. One was for "Tommy Atkins". This was a common nickname for a regular soldier in the British Army. The other memorial was for Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig. He was the founder of The Royal British Legion and had passed away in January 1928.
Other Fields of Remembrance
The idea of the Field of Remembrance has spread to other places.
Australia's Field
In 1952, the ANZAC Field of Remembrance was created in Sydney, Australia. It was inspired by the original Field of Remembrance in London.
UK Expansion
For the 90th anniversary of the Poppy Appeal in 2011, new Fields of Remembrance were set up. These were in Belfast, Cardiff, and Edinburgh. Another special Field of Remembrance was made in November 2011 at Lydiard Park. This park is near Royal Wootton Bassett. This field was shaped like "11-11-11-11". This shape remembered the 93rd anniversary of the Armistice with Germany. The Armistice was the agreement that ended the fighting in the First World War, signed at 11 am on 11 November 1918.
Images for kids
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Noticeboards with guides to the plots on the Field of Remembrance at Westminster
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An example plot, commemorating soldiers of the Royal Engineers
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Ranks of remembrance crosses at the Field of Remembrance
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A young family look at the crosses planted in the ANZAC Field of Remembrance in Sydney, Australia
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Tokens of remembrance in the plot for the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (AJEX), at the Field of Remembrance at Westminster
