Poppy Factory facts for kids
The Poppy Factory in Richmond, London
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| Formation | 1922 |
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| Type | Charity |
| Purpose | Veterans' employment charity |
| Headquarters | Richmond-upon-Thames |
| Location | |
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Region served
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United Kingdom 51°27′20″N 0°18′10″W / 51.45556°N 0.30278°W |
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Official language
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English |
The Poppy Factory is a special place in Richmond, London, England. It's where beautiful remembrance wreaths are made by hand. It started in 1922 to help soldiers who were hurt in the First World War. These brave people got jobs making remembrance poppies and wreaths. These are used by the Royal Family and for the Royal British Legion's yearly Poppy Appeal.
The factory is run by a charity. This charity helps veterans (people who served in the armed forces) who have health problems find jobs all over England and Wales. Even today, the factory's team still makes these special wreaths by hand. There's also a similar factory in Scotland called Lady Haig's Poppy Factory in Edinburgh. It started in 1926 and makes about five million remembrance poppies every year.
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The Poppy Factory's History in England
The very first artificial poppies for the 1921 Poppy Appeal came from France. They were brought over by Madame Anna Guérin.
In 1922, a charity called the Disabled Society received money to help. This charity was started by Major George Howson and Major Jack Cohen. They used the money to hire disabled ex-service people to make remembrance poppies in England. Howson felt it was important to give these disabled veterans a chance.
They set up the first factory in an old collar factory on the Old Kent Road in London. Soon, 50 disabled veterans were working there.
In November 1924, the Prince of Wales (who later became Edward VIII) visited the Poppy Factory. That year, the factory made 27 million poppies! Most of the workers had disabilities, and many more wanted to join.
The old factory became too small as more poppies were needed. So, in 1926, the factory moved to a larger, unused brewery in Petersham Road, Richmond. The Poppy Factory also started the first yearly Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in 1928. The current Poppy Factory building was built on the brewery site and finished in 1933.
In November 2016, Melanie Waters, who used to lead the Poppy Factory, became the head of the Help for Heroes charity. Deirdre Mills then became the new leader of the Poppy Factory. She had worked at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission before.
In July 2017, Queen Elizabeth II visited the factory. She was there to celebrate the charity's 90th birthday. More recently, in February 2024, Queen Camilla held a special event to mark the Poppy Factory's 100th anniversary.
Lady Haig's Poppy Factory in Scotland
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Lady Haig's Poppy Factory was started in Edinburgh in March 1926. This was soon after the Royal British Legion's factory opened in London. It was also an independent charity to help disabled veterans find jobs. Lady Haig's Poppy Factory is now part of Poppyscotland.
The factory was created because Dorothy, Countess Haig, thought it was a good idea. She was the wife of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig. He had created the Haig Fund to help ex-servicemen. This fund still raises money through the UK's yearly poppy appeal.
The factory first opened in an old wood-chopping factory. This was on the grounds of Whitefoord House. In 1965, the factory moved to its current location, which used to be a printing works.
In November 2018, the factory moved for two years to Redford Barracks. This allowed for big renovations and the addition of a new learning area.
Like the Poppy Factory in Richmond, this factory hires ex-service personnel. All of them have disabilities. They make five million remembrance poppies in Edinburgh each year. These poppies look a little different from the English ones, with four petals instead of two. They also make 12,000 wreaths.
Remembrance Poppies
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Royal British Legion pin poppy
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Royal British Legion wreath poppies
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Royal British Legion remembrance cross
See also
- Richmond Brewery Stores
