HONOURING OUR HEROES

Britain turns into sea of poppies with incredible memorials as nation remembers our fallen war heroes

The spectacular poppy arrangements popped up as WW2 vets warn memory of the conflict is 'slipping from living history' and urged youngsters not to forget

BRITAIN has turned red for remembrance as the nation pays tribute to our fallen war heroes with stunning poppy displays ahead of Armistice Day.

Respectful Brits in schools, churches and workplaces across the country have spent months preparing beautiful arrangements for memorial services on Sunday.

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Scarlet, three, walks past the thousands of hand knitted poppies that are flowing from the tower & in to the grounds of Selby Abbey in Yorkshire to mark the 100th Anniversary of the end of the First World WarCredit: London News Pictures

The day marks 100 years since the end of the First World War, which saw more than 886,000 brave British military personnel sacrifice their lives for the country.

The poppy has become a power visual symbol of remembrance for the millions of people today who wear them as a mark of respect.

Now weeping widows, made up of thousands of poppies, among other displays have appeared up and down the UK, cascading from church spires and community centres.

And school children have worked tirelessly to create handmade memorials to servicemen who gave their lives for Britain.

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A river of poppies illuminated at dusk on the path to the top of Colmers Hill at Symondsbury near Bridport in DorsetCredit: Alamy Live News
More than 15,000 poppies, handmade by local craft groups, schools and care homes are displayed at Hertford CastleCredit: Reuters
An old timer chats with a human figure 'Poppy Man' made from crocheted poppies on the commemorative bench in the village of Fenwick, East AyrshireCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Station Road, Aldridge, in Walsall transformed into Poppy Road as almost 100 houses were decorated with 24,000 red poppies and silhouette statues of soldiers to honour local fallen heroesCredit: PA:Press Association
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A poppy display at Station Road, AldridgeCredit: PA:Press Association

In one particularly poignant display, 8,858 poppies were released at BT Group's London headquarters, each one representing individual postal and telecoms men and women who died in the First World War.

Despite the incredible efforts of Brits up and down the land, 100-year-old war veteran John Geddes warned memories of war are "slipping from living history" and urged young people to keep the tradition of remembrance alive.

The decorated former RAF navigator is among the last of a generation which lived through both global conflicts.

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During the Second World War he took part in a daring series of enemy raids including the Battle of Berlin, which claimed the lives of more than 2,000 British crewmen.

The moat surrounding the Tower of London is filled with thousands of individual flames, which represent the lives of fallen armed service membersCredit: Splash News
'Poppies: Weeping Willow' artwork at the Imperial War MuseumCredit: Getty - Contributor
The Royal British Legion’s 'Falling Poppies' projection is displayed on the West Front of Salisbury Cathedral
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Art Director Tara Holmes poses for a photograph beneath her poppy-based installation in London City HaCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The Swindon Borough Council Tommy silhouette on display inside St Augustine's Church, Even Swindon, Wiltshire, where 1,300 poppies hang from the roof to represent the lives lost in the local area during World War ICredit: PA:Press Association

John, holder of the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross), said: "With every year the need for remembrance becomes stronger, as the memories slip from living history.

"It's hard to understand the impact of the war when you've not been involved yourself, but it's not something I'd ever wish for another generation to encounter.

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LONG WALK HOME Military veterans walk 100 miles to commemorate 100 years since end of WW1

ONE hundred veterans today ended their 100 mile Long Walk Home from Ypres, Belgium to London’s cenotaph to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War.

UK’s top military housing charity Haig Housing Trust organised the 100 Veterans and serving personnel who will receive a heroes welcome as they walk back to the capital.

The march from across the military community has been called The Long Walk Home and the journey will finish on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph where the walkers are VIP guests.

The walk started in Belgium, then Dover to Canterbury, to Gillingham and then Gravesend to London on Saturday. Friends and family will greet the walkers as they return and join them for the last mile of their pilgrimage.

Brigadier James Richardson MBE, chief executive of Haig Housing, said: “The Long Walk Home recognises the great sacrifice given by so many in that war and its pilgrimage to walk the route from Flanders to the Cenotaph to take part in the National Act of Remembrance by today’s Veterans will be a poignant commemoration . We hope that the public and in particular the people of Kent give support and encouragement to this event.”

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"All the same, it's important that people don't forget just how many people gave their lives, fighting for a better future."
On Sunday, 103-year-old Ron Free - Britain's oldest veteran - will lead a march of 100 comrades at the Cenotaph.

Ron was blinded in the war after four years of suffering malnutrition in a Japanese prison of war camp.


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