11.11.18@11.00 End of the First World War In Flanders Fields John McRae was a member of the Canadian Army. He composed a poem following the death of a close friend. He threw the poem away. It was found by an officer who sent it to newspapers in England. Moina Michael, an American woman, began to sell poppies.

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKoJvHcMLfc

Uganda Sierra Leone Kenya Nigeria Jamaica Barbados Kuwait Cyprus

“I had my gas mask, a label pinned to my jacket and a carrier bag which held my pyjamas, a change of underwear and some sandwiches…” “Some fortunate children were sent to Canada and America but they were certainly not from east London. Us lot were considered too ‘lower class’ and rough.”

“Back in London we didn’t have to wait that long “Back in London we didn’t have to wait that long. The Blitz it was called. The air attack lasted 76 consecutive days and nights. Thousands were killed, injured and made homeless. Over 180,000 people slept on the platforms of tube stations every night.” “You would see a house sliced in half as though cut with a knife, upstairs the floor would jut out in mid air. 250,00 Londoners were made homeless.”

“But there were many who stayed home and cried quietly with their memories, their photographs and their War Office telegram. They had nothing to celebrate.”

There are currently over 50 wars and conflicts taking place There are currently over 50 wars and conflicts taking place. Some have been going on for many years. This year: Afghanistan 17,000 deaths Mexico 9,000 deaths Syria 23,000 deaths Iraq 12,000 deaths