In Flanders Fields
By John McCrae
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.
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
In Flanders fields.
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
In Flanders fields.
The Flanders poppy, also known as red poppy, corn poppy and field poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is native to the Mediterranean and areas of Europe. The tiny seeds can sit in the soil for decades until the soil is disturbed and they come back to life. They are spread on the boots of soldiers and by the winds and birds, by tires on bicycles and cars. It is believed that they were spread to Britian on the boots of Roman soldiers.
During WWI the soils were disturbed around trenches, craters and graves. When Spring came, the poppies grew. John McCrae, an aide station doctor observed the poppies and wrote the touching poem In Flanders Field in 1915. The war raged for three more years, and each Spring where graves had been dug, the poppies bloomed on them.
Remembrance Day Parade and Service on Sunday 11th November 2012
The Mayor of Northampton will lead a procession of councillors and town dignitaries from the Guildhall to All Saints' Church as part of the Remembrance Day Parade and Service on Sunday 11 November.
The main Parade will form in two parts on the Market Square. The Northampton Pipe Band will lead the first part of the march to All Saints’ Church at 9.30am and will be followed by the second part led by the Air Training Corps Band at 9.35am. The Parade will join with the Mayor's procession at All Saints' Church for the Divine Service which starts at 10am.
After the Divine Service the Parade will assemble outside the Memorial Gardens in George Row. They will be joined by clergy, the choir of All Saints' Church and the Salvation Army Band. The traditional two minutes silence will begin at 11am at the first stroke of All Saints' clock. The laying of wreaths and the Remembrance Service will then follow.
After the Service the Parade headed by the Northampton Pipe Band will make its way to the Guildhall to make the Salute before progressing up St Giles Street, into Fish Street and then reaching its final destination in Abington Street.
The Mayor of Northampton Councillor Roger Conroy said:
"Remembrance Sunday is a very special day that allows us to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our country. It is also a time for us to think of those who are injured and of the men and women who are serving our country today.”
Remembrance Day assembly order:
0920 hours - Parade - assemble Market Square
Order of March:
1. Northampton Pipe Band
2. Standard Bearers
3. Wreath Bearers
4. Royal British Legion and other ex-service organisations
5. Air Training Corps Band
6. Units of the Regular Army
7. Units of the Territorial Army
8. Other Uniformed Civil Units
9. Other organisations.
0930 hours - The first part of the Parade headed by the Northampton Pipe Band will March to All Saints’ Church for Divine Service. Standard Bearers form Guard of Honour on Portico.
Wreath Bearers to leave wreaths on portico.
0920 hours - Parade - assemble Market Square
Order of March:
1. Northampton Pipe Band
2. Standard Bearers
3. Wreath Bearers
4. Royal British Legion and other ex-service organisations
5. Air Training Corps Band
6. Units of the Regular Army
7. Units of the Territorial Army
8. Other Uniformed Civil Units
9. Other organisations.
0930 hours - The first part of the Parade headed by the Northampton Pipe Band will March to All Saints’ Church for Divine Service. Standard Bearers form Guard of Honour on Portico.
Wreath Bearers to leave wreaths on portico.
0935 hours - The second part of the Parade headed by the ATC Band will March to All Saints’ Church for Divine Service.
0948 hours - The Mayor and members of the council will process from the Guildhall to All Saints’ Church for Divine Service.
0950 hours - Northamptonshire County Council councillors will set off from County Hall.
0948 hours - The Mayor and members of the council will process from the Guildhall to All Saints’ Church for Divine Service.
0950 hours - Northamptonshire County Council councillors will set off from County Hall.
1000 hours - Divine Service at All Saints’ Church
1035 hours - After Divine Service, Parade will assemble in original order in George Row except Wreath Bearers who will be at the rear of the Parade, and headed by the Northampton Pipe Band will march to positions on Wood Hill.
Wreath Bearers of the Royal British Legion, old comrades associations, and others in the Parade will occupy a position on the pavement outside the Memorial Gardens in George Row.
1053 hours - The Mayor and members of the council will arrive at the Memorial Gardens, entering by the George Row Gate. The Lord Lieutenant or her representative will arrive at the Memorial Gardens, entering by the George Row Gate.
1053 hours - The clergy and choir of All Saints’ Church will arrive at the Memorial Gardens, entering by the George Row Gate. The clergy, choir and the Salvation Army Band will be positioned at the Mercers Row side of the Memorial.
Hymn as shown on Service Sheet
Hymn as shown on Service Sheet
Act of Homage said by the president of the Northampton Branch of the Royal British Legion.
The Parade Marshall, WO2 Mark Heycock, CSM 118 Rec Coy will call up the Parade.
1059 hours - Last Post
1100 hours - The Silence will be kept for two minutes, beginning at the first stroke of All Saints’ Church clock. The conclusion of the Silence will be marked by Reveille.
The Lord Lieutenant or her representative will place a wreath on the Memorial Stone, followed by the Mayor, then other dignitaries, members of the Royal British Legion, Old Comrades Associations, and others on parade.
The Wreath Bearers on parade will leave the Memorial Gardens by the Mercers Row Gate, and fall in on Mercers Row for the remainder of the service.
During the Wreath Laying Ceremony the Pipe Major will play the 'Flowers of the Forest’
The service will proceed as printed in the Order of Service.
Inside the church: The Parade on entering the church will fill up the pews from the rear in the north and south aisles already reserved.
Arrangements will be made for the Standards to be laid on the altar.
The Lord Lieutenant or her representative will place a wreath on the Memorial Stone, followed by the Mayor, then other dignitaries, members of the Royal British Legion, Old Comrades Associations, and others on parade.
The Wreath Bearers on parade will leave the Memorial Gardens by the Mercers Row Gate, and fall in on Mercers Row for the remainder of the service.
During the Wreath Laying Ceremony the Pipe Major will play the 'Flowers of the Forest’
The service will proceed as printed in the Order of Service.
Inside the church: The Parade on entering the church will fill up the pews from the rear in the north and south aisles already reserved.
Arrangements will be made for the Standards to be laid on the altar.
After Divine Service at the church: The Parade will leave the church starting from the rear pews, so that the Parade will assemble in the original order in George Row, and headed by the Northampton Pipe Band will march to positions on Wood Hill.
The ATC Band will march to positions in The Drapery. The Wreath Bearers will march at the rear of the Parade, to occupy their position outside the Memorial Gardens in George Row.
After the Service at the Memorial: The Lord Lieutenant, or her representative, The High Sheriff, the Mayor and members of the council, preceded by the clergy and choir will leave by the George Row Gate.
The Salvation Army Band will remain in the Memorial Gardens.
The Salvation Army Band will remain in the Memorial Gardens.
The Parade headed by the Northampton Pipe Band will march down Mercers Row, round All Saints’ Church, up George Row, and will march past the Guildhall where the Salute will be taken.
After the march past, the Parade will march up St Giles Street, turn left into Fish Street and turn left into Abington Street for dismissal.
Private wreath bearers will be admitted to the Memorial Gardens when the parade has passed.
After the march past, the Parade will march up St Giles Street, turn left into Fish Street and turn left into Abington Street for dismissal.
Private wreath bearers will be admitted to the Memorial Gardens when the parade has passed.
