Remembrance Day, or Armistice Day, is marked on November 11 every year, and signifies the day the First World War ended in 1918 – on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
A two-minute silence is held at 11am across the nation, and people wear poppy badges and pins as a mark of respect for servicemen and women, and to honour those who lost their lives during the war.
A red poppy is the most traditional symbol of remembrance, yet there are now different colours available with different significant meanings and benefiting various charities.
Red Poppy
The red poppy traditionally signifies those who lost their lives in World War One and subsequent conflicts, inspired by the swathes of poppies growing on the battlefields.
The red poppy, representing remembrance and hope, is the registered trademark of the Royal British Legion, a British charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependents. Its annual Poppy Appeal each year raises funds from the sale of these artificial poppies.
Purple Poppy
Murphy’s Army Purple Poppy Campaign was launched in 2016 and introduced the purple poppy to remember the animals that lost their lives at war.
The purple poppies honour animals such as horses, dogs and pigeons who played a part in the war effort. Donations to the Animal Purple Poppy Fund are distributed to various animal charities such the War Horse Memorial. Railway Dogs Benevolent Fund, and Fireside K9.
White Poppy
The white poppy, also known as the silver poppy, is chosen as a symbol of remembrance of all victims of war with the aim of promoting peace.
Founded in 1933 by members of the Women’s Co-operative Guild who had lost loved ones in the First World War, it was chosen to symbolise they were against war and violence. It was subsequently adopted in 1936 by the Peace Pledge Union charity.
Any profits from white poppy sales go towards promoting peaceful alternatives to war, campaigning against militarism and peace education work.
Black Poppy Rose
The Black Poppy Rose was launched by Londoner Selena Carty in 2010 and commemorates the contributions of African, Black Peoples, West Indian, Caribbean, Pacific Islands and Indigenous Communities to global wars.
Proceeds from the sale of black poppy roses go directly to the West Indian Association of Service Personnel (WASP).
South Devon College will be marking Remembrance Day at 1pm on Monday 11 November by holding a service in The Street. Please join us in remembering and honouring those who lost their lives, and wear your poppy, whatever colour you choose, with pride.