American reacts to The Tower of London Poppies

[@zoebunnyx]

I was lucky enough to be able to help 'plant' the poppies, it was a real privilege and a very emotional day. One of the poppies is currently kept safe here in our home and I hope my children will treasure it as I do ❤️

[@boofuu3145]

interesting , did all the people that helped with the project get to keep one?

[@gillcawthorn7572]

The poppies went on sale ,after the display was dismantled and the public encouraged to buy them ,the proceedings to charity

[@ElandBee]

We've got one too.

[@LOSTinmycreation]

@@boofuu3145 the ceramic Poppies were sold/pre ordered during mid installation and then sent out a month or two after they were dismantled and cleaned up then sent out to those who bought. Two installations ( the wave one and weeping window) went on as whole for a brief tour and I think now is permanently installed somewhere else.

[@minnyneumann3323]

I bought a few & sent my sister along with her son & daughter in the US one each & they display them proudly as they are part British….

[@ulyssesthirteen7031]

The couple wearing the interesting outfits are a Pearly King and Queen. It's an old London tradition.

[@turnerwayne696]

Yes but they have to born within in the sound of the bow bells that makes you a Cockney and if the bells are ringing that makes you a pearly king or queen.

[@lizbignell7813]

@Turner Wayne, l didn’t know the second part, thank you for the information.

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Actually, the origin goes back 150 yrs. The Pearly Society was originally based around the tradition of London East End costermongers (barrow boys) wearing mother of pearl stripes on their trousers. A street orphan, Henry Croft, once he grew up and had some means, established the Society as a charity to help street kids such as he had been. It was never strictly a Cockney organisation, but one first based around street merchants throughout East London, but now stretches west into the City, Westminster, and Victoria in the West End.

[@lynnepashley4281]

My great grandfather was one of those poppies

[@turnerwayne696]

@@lynnepashley4281 thanks for his service my brother nearly died in the Falklands it made my respect for those that servive more important..

[@robynmurray7421]

It's nice they included some names from the Commonwealth, which is often overlooked in war histories. After World War I, the prime minister of Australia, Billy Hughes, went to the Paris Peace Conference, despite the fact that the leaders of some bigger countries didn't want him there. The US president, Woodrow Wilson, was particularly snooty and reminded Hughes that he only spoke for a country of 5 million people. Hughes replied: "I speak for 60,000 dead".

[@michaeldianewynne8414]

Should have said - "I speak for 60,000 dead. How many do you speak for? Oh 53,402"

[@libradragon934]

The outfit that the older couple are wearing are clothes covered in tiny pearl buttons, because they are a cockney pearly king and queen! This installation was only there for a short time, as it was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of WW1 (1914-1918) My son bought one of the poppies, its beautiful!

[@christineharding4190]

There are several Pearly Kings and Queens in different boroughs of London. Each borough's King and Queen had their own design of pearl outfits.

[@threestepssideways1202]

@@christineharding4190 And I hope it never goes away, it's unique and wonderful.

[@gillcawthorn7572]

As teenagers in the late 1950s, we were so despising of the numerous spinsters, ,unmarried women or old maids as they were known. Now I realise that this was a generation of men lost ,families broken and young women deprived of the chance of being happily married mothers . How cruel and judgemental we were in our ignorance ,how silly and how young .

[@gabbymcclymont3563]

I was born in the 70's and I remember our village had alot of old lady's like the MISS Doves, sisters who lived together. A wonderful lady called Attie, I remember her asking me to do something in the makes bedroom (she lived is a beautiful Scottish villa her father had built. There was a photo of a man in a WW1 uniform I'd never seen it, it explained a lot.

[@ktwashere5637]

people in the 1950s were despising of women in general.

[@brigidsingleton1596]

It's rare to find "an old head in young shoulders" ... It is said the energy and the enthusiasm of the young is wasted upon them, when the older persons have lived through enough life to know how to use it, when their strength, energy and sometimes their enthusiasm has lessened over time, and through difficult situations... We are not "Benjamin Buttons"...we are not born with the knowledge with which to cope with information, which as we age, we experience and learn what it means to live through sad, hard times. Rest In Peace 888,246 Lost Souls of WWII. (edited due to miscount, my apologies).

[@yazmac9294]

Not sure if it’s widely known outside the UK, but we use poppys to commemorate veterans because after WW1 the land in France was so saturated with blood the soil became rich in nutrients and poppies began to grow. It was seen as a symbol of remembrance and of new life on what was, until then, a scarred battleground.

[@gabrieleghut1344]

Thank you for the information. I love the British for still remember all the souls lost in WWI and this with the Poppy as a symbol/reminder.

[@voyance4elle]

I didn't know that.

[@conniestegen]

Canada does too 🌺

[@suppleberry3863]

That's sometimes what's told but in fact poppies like a poor soil with few nutrients. However their seeds can survive for years undisturbed for years before germination. Because of all the disturbances to the soil from the battles, lots of seeds were brought to germination causing spectacular displays of the flowers in the years after the war. The French commemorate with cornflowers rather than poppies but it's for similar reasons.

[@carlamullenberg1029]

Australia also commemorates our fallen WW1 soldiers by wearing poppies every ANZAC day 25 April and Remembrance Day 11 November, Lest We Forget

[@brad270472]

One of them poppies would be for my great uncle, Joe Brailey who died in Sept 1916 at Flanders Fields.

[@matthewseeber8529]

Living in Australia,I only wished I got to visit this display ,was beautiful honour to our fallen. The tower of London has some wonderful displays.

[@kaylucas51]

How proud I am to be British we always remember our ancestors what they did for us

[@eleanorcrawford9978]

Sadly our young generation do not respect what their grandparents & great grandparents done for our country paying the ultimate price to save this country from a murderous Tyrant. We must never forget our proud history and the bravery of these young soldiers who went to war with pride in their country.

[@martinconnors5195]

This is just so beautiful and such an emotional art instalation. So respectful and yet so solemn. Rest In Peace all our British and Commonwealth personnel who laid down their lives, so we can be Free

[@zaphodbeeblebrox6627]

There is a poppy appeal every year leading up to November 11 ( armistice day) the day the guns fell silent in 1918. All moneys raised in the sale of poppy pins / badges/ artificial poppies which people wear goes to supporting injured military personnel from all wars and military conflicts leading up to this day. Armistice day is the equivalent of Veterans Day in America, and while there is a two minute silence held on each November 11, there is also Remembrance Sunday which is also observed on the Sunday nearest to the 11/11. At 11.00am. That’s why you’ll see the vast majority of British people wearing a poppy each year from October onwards, thru to November 11 and sometimes up to a week after.

[@catbevis1644]

I bought one of the poppies in memory of my grandmother's uncle, who is still technically classed as "missing in action" and has no officially known grave. His name was read out on the Roll of Honour that they talked about in this video. I kept it as a surprise and didn't tell my grandmother in advance that I'd had his name added to the list and she cried when she saw the footage. 100yrs later people still feel the grief in this country. To give you a sense of scale- out of over 50,000 cities, towns and villages in England and Wales, only 53 villages didn't lose a single soldier in WW1 (they're known as the "thankful villages"). Over half a million men are still missing in action (and are still being found). In France there are still areas which are uninhabitable because of explosives and gas, and they have estimated it will take several more CENTURIES to clear the battlefields fully. I know from personal experience that you can still see trench lines and bomb craters meandering through the countryside, and it really does send shivers down your spine when you suddenly realise what you're looking at. After several years of research (and unfortunately the passing of my grandmother), I finally know where her uncle is buried in France as an "unknown soldier". I hope to visit some day. Private W J Page, 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment 17916 ❤

[@smilieevie6998]

Same here. I bought one in memory of my grandmother's brother, also missing in action.

[@catbevis1644]

@@smilieevie6998 I feel like it's so important to remember those men, especially ones who didn't have children/ grandchildren etc of their own. They get a bit forgotten about- just names on a memorial instead of being people who had a whole life of their own ❤

[@zoemn24]

I wish I could’ve bought one, I’d have bought one for my Great Great Uncle who died in WWI although I do know where his final resting place is, it now upsets me that I didn’t. I’m so thankful there was one for him though.

[@catbevis1644]

@@zoemn24 There are a few men from my family who either served or died in WW1. No personal souvenirs have been passed down the family so I've been gradually building up a collection. For example- authentic cap badges for their regiments. Or occasionally the British Legion release limited edition pin badges related to specific battles they were in. Perhaps this is something you could look into? At the end of the day, you will know the cap badge doesn't belong to "your" ancestor, but they belonged to someone's ancestor and I think it's important to keep those little things in the families of people for whom there is a sentimental connection rather than some anonymous collector or museum. Just a thought for you x

[@lesleypulling129]

The Pearly Kings and Queens are from the East end of London they were born within the sound of Bow Bells. My grandfather fought in the first World War in Mesopotamia (Iraq) was injured in 5 places the worst being his Lung, but he survived , had 4 children 3 grandchildren and he and my Nana brought me up till I was ten !

[@paulinejackson8105]

This was very moving and brought a tear to my eyes, to all the soldiers who lost their lives RIP .

[@maudeboggins9834]

My mother went there in 2014 & bought a ceramic poppy. She was in awe of the whole affect & spent time thinking of those brave soldiers who never came home.

[@blotski]

I only just found out a few weeks ago from a friend who was researching my family that my great-grandfather died in 1918 in Flanders. His name was Thomas Humphries. My grandfather was also called Thomas. I loved him dearly and gave my own son Thomas as a middle name. The yearly two minutes silence at 11.00am on the 11th of the 11th always moves me to tears. But this year I'll be thinking of great-grandad Tom.

[@suziesearle9170]

I only found out recently that my great grandfather died at the battle of Loos in a decoy attack. I bought a poppy and now have someone to dedicate it too. My grandmother was only two when he died and he was 39. A friend went to the shard an took a beautiful picture of the tower with the poppies it is black and white with the poppies left red. It was a wonderful tribute

[@Emmet_Moore]

I also only found out recently doing genealogy research that my great-great-great granddad died aged 45 at Ypres, as well as several of his sons. I really can’t tell why he joined up as a private at that age (and I couldn’t find any previous military records), but it must have been pretty terrible for my g.g.g. grandma. That was Alexander Moore, as was his dad, as well as his son and grandson (both of whom were in the merchant navy and the latter fought at Okinawa and supplied the Soviets at Archangel). I plan on calling my first son Alexander.

[@emmyjo720]

I had a great, great Uncle Arthur Smith who died in the last days of the war.

[@Beefy5039]

Appreciate you covering this mate, very happy to see it gaining a wider audience and so a greater appreciation of the cost of WWI. Grandad landed at Gallipoli in April 1915 with the Royal Naval Division, he came home although he never walked without a cane again, most of his pals didn't.

[@LittleMissPyeWacket]

My grandfather fought in the Somme, he was a bit naughty and lied about his age, he was 15 or 16 i believe, thankfully he came home unlike so many others.

[@oursharon1001]

My grandfather also lied about his age and managed to come home after the war. His father, however, joined up when they started taking older men as volunteers. He did not return home.

[@tracyhutchinson4929]

I think a lot of young lads lied. Can you imagine 15/16 year old doing that today? Thank you for your service and your sacrifice, along with the 8 million horses, donkeys and mules, pigeons, dogs etc. We shall never forget

[@angelamary9493]

Many young lads signed up some 14... Lest We Forget

[@tomorrowkiddo]

I happened to be visiting from Australia, when these were on display, and it was overwhelming to come across. I watched one of the documentaries about making the poppies afterwards, and there was so much work that went into the project.

[@whiskers1776]

They did another one called ghost soldiers which is very moving where hundreds of volunteers dressed in world War 1 uniform were seen all over the country they never spoke but when approached they would hand that person a card with the name age and when they were killed

[@ianjacques-keen9137]

The old couple dressed up were Pearly Kings and Queens which originated in the London borough of Lambeth ( There is an old song called “Doing the Lambeth Walk” ) 🤓🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@nabster68]

I am privileged to have a flower here in Australia in commemoration of my Uncle Bill that left Australia to fight in WW1 and died of wounds received in France

[@brianshockledge3241]

An incredible installation, an incredible country.

[@phoenixfeathers4128]

I’ve never seen these in person, but they are beautiful. We made some poppies in art lessons many years ago in school, then, around the time they were finished and put in the kiln, we went outside for Remembrance Day with poppy pins and all, standing in silence until the canon shot rang in our ears. God, it’s so touching and I’m already nearly in tears

[@threestepssideways1202]

I was fortunate to see the display at Lincoln Castle, by the same sculptors. All of the poppies there showed the lost of Lincolnshire. Of course it was so much smaller in scale, but harrowing none the less. My wife and I, ate our lunch not too far away, and we observed all of the visitors to the castle paused at the display, and took their time to understand what they were seeing. We do remember.

[@sirdavidoftor3413]

There is a video about how the poppy became the symbol of those that died in WW1. It starts with a Canadian doctor, John McRea, who, wrote the poem “ In Flanders Fields”. In Canada, around and during Remembrance Day ( November 11, at 11:00, when the Armistice was signed, ending the war) Canadians, ( sorry, don’t know what the Brits do) gather at cenotaphs to remember all veterans that have died from war. Stay safe, stay sane, stay strong Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@jerbil9353]

I don't know all the traditions, but being from the UK, I can tell you that the entire country stops at 11AM on the 11th of the 11th every year, for a minute or 2 of silent remembrance.

[@phoenix-xu9xj]

We do have a service I remembrance on the Sunday nearest to November 11. And there’s a big service at the Cenotaph in London, and towns and villages and cities around the country at the 11th hour.

[@sirdavidoftor3413]

@@phoenix-xu9xj and Jim P: Thanks! I thought that Canada and the British did basically the same things on Remembrance Day, but I was not sure. I do know that your poppies are different. Ours are smaller, and made from red flocked plastic, with a black centre. Are yours made of paper? Stay safe, stay sane, stay strong Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@MrPaulMorris]

@@sirdavidoftor3413 The British poppies have paper petals with a green plastic stalk and a black plastic centre 'button'. The poppies are manufactured in the 'Poppy Factory' that has existed since shortly after WW1 to provide employment opportunities for injured and disabled ex-servicemen. Last year around 40 million poppies were distributed.

[@Sophie.S..]

I was lucky enough to visit this display in 2014. It was incredible and extremely moving. Something I will never forget.

[@paulharvey9149]

You're a sensitive guy, Ryan. Thanks for reacting to this.

[@gillcawthorn7572]

Many towns and villages across the UK had a memorial of some different kind .My town had volunteers who knitted poppies and when there were vast quantities these were attached to netting and it was installed and cascaded from the tower of the town centre Church .

[@2opler]

4:07 Pearly King and Queen. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearly_Kings_and_Queens en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Croft_(pearly)

[@elektra33753]

I was very young when I saw this and I am so glad that I got to see it.

[@jillbarnes199]

Thankyou for your respect after they were sold we have one in our family,

[@seanmc1351]

Hi Ryan i wondered when you would round to this one, Thanks for reacting to It. means alot grandfaters served, my brother served and i served

[@ginettechiverton7113]

The mature couple are often referred to as (Pearly king and queen).An amusing old London tradition.I'm not sure how or when it started.They have mother of pearl buttons sown on their clothes.😊

[@marisavl1]

I saw all these poppies , enormous poppies . Spectacular . Sometimes is interesting live in London.

[@janetnewman709]

I bought 3 of these poppies for myself, my son and daughter to commemorate the death of my great uncle during the 1st World War. A nice thing to pass down through the family, “lest we forget”.

[@carolemiller198]

The Festival of Rememberance is worth a visit, this is a moving ceremony remembering the fallen from all wars, we wear a poppy to mark the occasion in November.

[@MrPaulMorris]

What this installation did was enable visitors to have some small appreciation of the scale of the losses in the Great War. The sea of poppies was overwhelming but to connect each of those to a man lost in combat brings home the real impact of those losses that a number on a page simply can't do. Our minds aren't equipped to visualise hundreds of thousands, seeing the poppies makes it real. To put it in context, barely a single village in Britain got through that war without loss. Moreover, the employment of 'pals battalions' (groups of soldiers recruited from the same communities and serving together--intended to enhance the 'esprit de corps') meant that some villages and towns could lose an entire generation of young men in a single action. I'm not ashamed to say that as an ex-serviceman and a former teacher, I rarely got through my reading of the traditional verse of remembrance with my classes on 11 November without choking up: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

[@Chris_GY1]

The poppies were sent to people but a number arrived broken. Part of the display went on a tour I saw it at Lincoln Castle.

[@elunedlaine8661]

My Grandfather was in The Royal Flying Corps, which became the R.A.F in 1918. He crashed his wood and canvas aeroplane, but fortunately survived, and became a flying instructor. I have his embroidered R.F.C uniform badge

[@1chish]

In the UK during the first census after WWI there were 119 women for every 100 men. Every family lost someone in WWI. And the two people you asked about were London 'Pearly King and Queen'. Its an old London tradition.

[@rogoth01themasterwizard11]

this was done to commemorate the centenary of the start of WW1, 1914>2014, and as stated on the intro card each poppy represented a life lost in the conflict of British and Colonial British forces lost during that bloody conflict.

[@Raghnaid]

They sold them for £25 each. "After Remembrance Day that year the public were allowed to buy the ceramic poppies created by Paul Cummins for £25 each, eventually raising over £15million for six service charities." The people in the outfits are known as the Pearly Kings and Queens, outfits have mother-of-pearl buttons sewn into them.

[@teresaali6658]

I have one of these ceramic puppies, and they are one of my most treasured items ❤

[@ianfleming152]

I really enjoyed your content vlog of the ceramic poppys you showed great compassion and humility well done young sir

[@ulyssesthirteen7031]

Also, my mother owns one of the ceramic poppies. Her uncle, my grandfather's oldest brother, was only 18 years old when he died at the Somme.

[@davidhall7811]

I have one of these centre stage in our front garden lit up at night by two spotlights

[@claregale9011]

Amazing and very moving, you should look into reacting to the unknown warrior story if you have not already .

[@lordylou1]

Poppies are significant because they grew with such abundance on the Western Front. We commemorate Armistice Day every year on 11th November and Remembrance Sunday on the next nearest Sunday to it. Each year paper poppies are sold for The Royal British Legion, a military charity. On Remembrance Sunday our nation's leaders - including the monarch and prime minister - lay wreaths of poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (which is also worth checking out, it's a very moving story).

[@lisaweinmeyer5782]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing this!

[@lynnhamps7052]

Beautiful!! In answer to your question, the couple were dressed in outfits covered in pearl buttons and are called pearly kings and queens, it is a very old charitable tradition based in the East End of London and they are true cockneys, hence his broad accent. 🇬🇧💖🌹

[@ClassicWorld19]

I have never forgotten this sight. I feel so privileged (and humbled) to have seen this, in person, at the time. Lest We Forget

[@trailerman2]

Great video and reaction Ryan. 👋👋👋

[@helenjarvis7755]

My mothers uncle died at the Somme in his twenties. My Grandfather lied about his age he was 15 when the war started and he joined up to be with his older brother. He was wounded badly twice. My fathers dad was also wounded and a teenager in this war. My husband's grandfather was killed in 1917 leaving his widow with four children. My father in law was 6. War has impacted so many families in so many ways. Buying a poppy has been a way to raise money to help those affected for over a hundred years now.

[@roblindstrom797]

so strong reading thank you

[@lesleymitcheson8439]

My great uncle was 21 yrs old when he was shot in the head by a German snipper in WW1

[@judithrichardson3684]

My great-grandfather died on the Somme. He also didn't need to be there as he was old enough to be exempt but joined up anyway. My grandmother never really got over it.

[@lougoss649]

I have one south rash London you could Buy them

[@bevanfletcher6563]

To put it into context, more British Soldiers were killed in the Battle of Passchendale than the US suffered in the whole of WWII.

[@daviddouglas6610]

My fife and i now own "a poppy' it was my late mother inlaws , we were lucky enough to have it gifted to us, it stands in clear sight any were in our living room

[@joannetyndall3625]

We went to see it and it was beautiful.So many people stood in awe in silence it was so mind blowing x

[@denisebell8422]

I wear a poppy every year to remember the soldiers who died and for my dad he was on the d-day landings very brave men ❤❤

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

While almost 900,000 UK and Imperial military died (Canada, Newfoundland, S Africa, Australia, NZ, India, Caribbean, E and W Africa, Malay, etc), there were 54,000 US active duty deaths, 1.4 million French, 1.4 million Russians. A total of 5.7 million Entente (Allied) soldiers killed and 4 million Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, etc) losses. At almost 10 million deaths, this is about half the military casualties of WW2, when actually over 50 million civilians died too.

[@sassyjintheuk]

I was privileged & humbled to be a volunteer to place the poppies in the moat. I was at Traitors Gate (!). I was knee deep in the Thames placing poppies just under the water and around on the grass. One of the best things I have ever done, especially as both my parents served in WW2, and grand parents in WW1. It's the least I could do. I have a poppy from there still. Most were sold to raise millions for veterans charities. God bless to everyone. xxx😊💕

[@bevanfletcher6563]

I'm a Kiwi my Grandfather was the only one of 4 brothers, a cousin and Uncle who survived WWI, he'd joined the New Zealand Division in 1914 and fought on Gallipoli, then on the Somme, at Messine, Passchendale and a number of other bloodbaths, to return to New Zealand in 1919.

[@mags9933]

Hi Ryan Don't know if you've already do it but perhaps you need to look at the Royal Legion Festival of Remembrance that is held every year in the Albert Hall. It's over an hour long but shows the reverence, majesty and pomp that the Brits demonstrate for their fallen.

[@meronr74]

Many of the poppies were made in my hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, also known as the Potteries. I visited the display and was lucky enough to buy one. There is a reason it is known as The Great War. I lost family members in France and Flanders and Gallipoli

[@bb1uk108]

I agree with what some people are saying, you should watch the Festival of Remembrance. It always brings me to tears, but then I'm part of the military family and very proud of it. 🌹🌹

[@nera_solani]

I did actually see this myself, I just so happened to visit London with my parents for the first time while the installation was up. We didn’t know about it beforehand, it was simply a lucky coincidence. Very beautiful to look at

[@irene-jb7jc]

Poppy's are a wild flower .And we have yellow ones as well as red ones here in the UK you pick them and they die straight a way.

[@Nikki-yn7yv]

It was Amazing we live a few hours from London and it was a must see I’m English and my husband is from San Diego California he’s lived here 25 years we thought it was incredibly beautiful

[@alisonthorp3050]

I was one of those that volunteered it was an amazing and humbling experience.

[@RonSeymour1]

Each poppy was sold in a commemorative box with the proceeds going to charity. I have one in my house. You will find them for sale on eBay at inflated prices although they were not cheap when purchased.

[@davidlawrence5091]

I have one of those poppies safely kept in a cupboard, only bought out once a year on remembrance day. Saw them at the tower as well, really poignant.

[@davidholwell2060]

🎉🎉🎉. Thank you so much.

[@albrussell7184]

went to see them about 10pm and they looked even more stunning because of the great way the poppies and walls were lit.

[@markleslie6091]

After the event, the public were able to receive one of these poppies. I was lucky enough to get one, and is proudly on display in my living room.

[@alisoncauser2955]

My Grandma lost her two brothers in world war 1. Rip in peace Edward age 18 and William age 19, Thank you for your service. You will always be remembered.

[@maudeboggins9834]

I hope those precious young men in your family were not the only sons in that family! My great grandmother lost her brother in WW1 the other to whooping cough. 6 daughters & 2 sons in total. All the daughters thrived.

[@alisoncauser2955]

Yes, they were just 2 sons and 2 daughters.

[@angelas4814]

It was amazing. Me and my husband visited the tower in August 2014 and observed the volunteers planting the poppies. We purchased a poppy for £25 and we framed it. We will treasure it to remember all the lives lost in the first world war 💔

[@barrygower6733]

The man in the suit is a Pearly King.

[@jeanneale9257]

Great reaction mate

[@14caz68]

No longer in situ. This year they filled the moat with millions of flowers. We went along to see these but the weather had been so hot they’d grown and seeded themselves in 3 weeks! These poppies were put on sale. I have one in my garden. My grandfather was killed in WW2 it’s very poignant.

[@carlamullenberg1029]

Thank you for showing this Ryan, it also gave me chills. I never knew about this project, I wish I had, it looks like it was an impressive show of love and respect for those British and Colonial service men who made the ultimate sacrifice. Australia was one of the Colonial countries who mobilised to help the British fight against the Germans. In 1914 Australia had less than 5 million citizens, 416,809 of those citizens volunteered to fight. Of those 416,809, 331,781 served overseas. it is recorded that 61,519 Australians lost their lives in the various conflicts; those fighters represented 1.2% of our population. An estimated 156,000 were either wounded, gassed or taken prisoner. It is the War where the ANZAC legend was born. Lest We Forget

[@petrinadendy6395]

The two people dressed up are a pearly king and queen. It's a tradition from the east end of London. They do a lot of work charity. You should look them up!

[@marianbirks6594]

I bought two of them after the display was dismantled, I visited the Tower to see the poppies which were truly incredible and so moving.

[@khushaliburleigh9778]

the two people in the black and white button clothes are the pearly king and queen, a London tradition

[@1chish]

This is from the Kohima cemetery and therefore from WWII but so very well applies to WWI or any combat where brave men and women give their lives for others: When you go home Tell them of us and say For your tomorrow We gave our today 888,246 today's given in bravery ....

[@visionsinblue7093]

Pearly King & Pearly Queen - outfits with pearl buttons

[@davidcruse6589]

We have a similar display in Australia New Zealand as well Ive seen somewhere ➕ placed all over the hillside and school kids lay them out takes about a week to do Cheers mate 🦘🇦🇺👍

[@Brookspirit]

@3:47 they are "Pearly Kings and Queens" that's worth googling

[@nigelmacbug6678]

3:27 a pearly king and queen

[@jocarter2848]

I bought one. The money was donated to charities who support ex servicemen and wommen. I also went to see The display and considering the mass of people there the noise was very low. I met a young Japanese girl and explained the reason and she burst into tears. It was an awesome experience.

[@angelapuricelli-fenlon1190]

I bought a poppy and gave to my friend in Australia, whose father and grandfather fought in the first and Second World War. ❤ poppies relate to remembrance of the fallen as poppies grew in the fields where the battles were fought in the 1st world war.

[@robertlangley1664]

My grandad and his brother fought at the battle of the Somme on the first day ,his brother was killed and my grandad taken prisoner so I feel my family done there bit for king and country god bless to all of the fallen in all wars

[@zachUK]

We have own in our home. We will remember.

[@ThePixey1000]

I visited the poppies it was brilliant I also purchased one of the ceramic poppies but only recieved it in the post once the exibit was taken down.

[@j.a4982]

We Will Never forget 😢😢😢 Thank you to everyone who died for us to have our freedom 😢 ❤❤❤❤

[@WatchingDude]

To think those people sacrificed the rest of their lives approximately 50 million years of life to serve their country.

[@bernadettesherrard5086]

I went to this in 2014, it was absolutely breathtaking , very moving

[@jillybrooke29]

The Pearly King and Queen of London, costumes been around for decades

[@ktwashere5637]

I live in London and went to see this. It was incredible.

[@ORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR13]

Yeah that sculpture piece was in my city for a week..

[@kathleeneichler8906]

Your comment about the cockney man in his traditional 'button' jacket is understandable, try googling it, very interesting. *U* Kathleen

[@kumasenlac5504]

888246 poppies - each with a family, each with a story...

[@annpartoon5300]

look up pearly kings and queens every silk poppy sold the money goes to a soicety that helps ex soldiers in ways it would be nice had it been left there for more people to see