Yesterday at the Tower Of London (1 Viewer)

[Rob]

Well I finally got to the Tower yesterday to see this incredible sight of over 888,000 poppies that represent every British and Commonwealth death in WW1. Got up at 5am to be there for dawn (as there has been tens of thousands of people crowding round the Tower to see them causing crowds of seven deep and closing Underground stations.), when we arrive at around 6.30am there was only a few people there and we could see as much as we liked with ease.

Had no idea the Poppies go right round the Tower and includes traitors gate. The atmosphere was quiet and respectful as you might expect. You can be numbed by statistics in books, but just standing there and taking in the enormity of what you are seeing.....wow!

It will be on show until the 12th November when it will be dismantled and every single one of these poppies will be sent to a member of the public who has paid £25 for each which goes to charity ......888,000 x £25. It will raise vital funds for our armed forces charities.

A brilliant, moving tribute to all those who died for us.

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[Rob]

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[lancer]

A completely overpowering display that puts the enormous casualty figures that one reads about into a physically impressive form. The numbers mean a great deal and this allows the viewer to at least begin to realize what those huge numbers mean in terms of the human cost. Brilliant. -- Al

 

[DMNamiot]

Amazing! My wife may be travelling there later this month and if she does I will make sure she sees this display!

Thanks for posting the photos Rob

Dave

 

[larso]

Woah! That is one stunning visual.

 

[Rob]

Glad you like it guys, it's the perfect center piece of our commemorations as we approach Remembrance Sunday next weekend.

Rob

 

[jazzeum]

Think I've seen several football managers wearing these.

 

[thebritfarmer]

It must be the most incredible thing to see first hand.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Quite an awesome and Informative post Rob. It is unfortunate that each Poppy represents a lost soldier in battle.
Very nice remembrance for the fallen !

 

[Rob]

Quite an awesome and Informative post Rob. It is unfortunate that each Poppy represents a lost soldier in battle.
Very nice remembrance for the fallen !

Thanks mate, glad you like the pics. I do agree with you re the lost, when you stand there and take it all in it really is moving.
Best
Rob

 

[jazzeum]

This was the scene at Anfield today before the beginning of the Liverpool Chelsea match.

 

[jazzeum]

Another photo. In the background you can see the words "To the Fallen."

 

[Rob]

Thanks for these Brad.
Rob

 

[jazzeum]

Rob,

As I mentioned, I've noticed many EPL managers wearing these. Before the match they had a moment of silence. I don't know if they're doing this before every match but maybe they did it today because November 11 is Tuesday.

Brad

 

[nmrocks]

Anything about World War I always brings Stings great song on the subject of World War 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtCqNHOi_KY

 

[lancer]

Our newspaper, The Washington Post, has finally picked up the story and has given it a nice spread on page 12 of the main section in the news section The World in today's edition (Nov.9). There is a half page report that includes two large color pictures, one of the moat and one of PM Cameron placing poppies, along with the written story itself. The story included some things I hadn't known such as how the poppies are placed at the rate of 70,000 a week and how, every evening, 180 names of the fallen soldiers are read out loud. -- Al

 

[Rob]

With Poppies now being left in place until end of this month and around 5 million people having visited them the suggestion is that the Governments WW1 Centenary advisory board may possibly suggest this wonderful tribute is repeated in 2018 for 100th Anniversary of the Armistice.

Rob

 

[Naps...just Naps]

With Poppies now being left in place until end of this month and around 5 million people having visited them the suggestion is that the Governments WW1 Centenary advisory board may possibly suggest this wonderful tribute is repeated in 2018 for 100th Anniversary of the Armistice.

Rob

Rob,
That would be a great idea. I hope they do repeat it in 2018.
Being a Londoner the Tower is one of my favourite buildings and I have visited it many times over the years.
But having visited two weeks ago to see the poppies I found it very moving and overwhelming.
I felt proud to be British, I felt pride in our armed forces and I felt proud to be from this great city.
Great post Rob.
Paul

 

[Rob]

Rob,
That would be a great idea. I hope they do repeat it in 2018.
Being a Londoner the Tower is one of my favourite buildings and I have visited it many times over the years.
But having visited two weeks ago to see the poppies I found it very moving and overwhelming.
I felt proud to be British, I felt pride in our armed forces and I felt proud to be from this great city.
Great post Rob.
Paul

Brilliantly put Paul^&cool Couldn't agree more, so proud of our servicemen, country and capital.
Thanks mate
Best
Rob

 

[Currahee Chris]

Hey Rob Mate

Beautiful picture and extrememly moving tribute for England and her lost sons. We were there in July when they first started planting. I knew this was going to be something special.