Poppies in Detail

The Tower of London art installation entitled ‘Blood Swept Land and Seas of Red‘ is now complete. The last poppy was planted in the moat at 10.50 today during the final ceremony (among the poppies) commemorating the  centenary of World War One. The art installation marked one hundred years since the first day of Britain’s involvement in the First World War. Each poppy represents a British military fatality during the war.

Poppies in the Moat


Tower Bridge

I was lucky to be able to visit the almost complete installation on 8th November.  The sight of the poppies was stunning and poignant.

Tomorrow the poppies will be picked and packed for dispatch to those who ordered them. The proceeds of the sale will be shared between six charities; Cobeso, Combat Stress, Coming Home, Help for Heroes, The Royal British Legion and SSAFA.

The Last Post

12 Comments CherryPie on Nov 11th 2014

12 Responses to “Poppies in the Moat”

  1. Alan says:

    A hugely popular installation and I can understand why. We had a crazy idea of going up in the middle of night to photograph it (3.30am was mentioned) but need the right weather conditions; seems like we are not going to get them.

  2. We visited at the weekend. The fact that each poppy represents a person really brings it home. An amazing sight and an ingenious work of art. Those that suggest it is somehow nationalist completely miss the point – or don’t know what nationalism means.

    • CherryPie says:

      I agree that seeing all those poppies and knowing each one represents a life (and death) really does bring it home.

      It was a stunning work of art, very inspirational and I think that it was a good for educating younger people.

      Yes those who think anything to do with the ‘Poppy Remembrance’ symbol is nationalist do completely miss the point!

  3. james higham says:

    Worked out very nicely, those poppies.

    • CherryPie says:

      I hope they won you round in the end ;-)

      The concept was inspired, ‘The Tower of London’ knows how to pay respect. It is also the keeper of the history of England, it does that well too.

  4. ....peter:) says:

    This is the greatest memorial for the fallen heroes of WW I … it’s sad to think that during the last 100 years… there have been so many wars Cherie!
    i love your night shot with the lady standing in the field of poppies under a flood lamp….peter:)

    • CherryPie says:

      It is sad to think of all those wars.

      The loan figure in among the poppies is a guardsman playing the last post. He is wearing a great coat which is why you can’t see his distinctive uniform.

  5. A rather awesome display

  6. Chrissy says:

    Beautiful Cherie…lovely captures of the scene, it must have been amazing to see!