Royal British Legion Fields of Remembrance officially opened at Arboretum

Each November, the RBL invites members of the public come from across the UK, to join together and honour the memory of loved ones who we were sadly lost serving in our Armed Forces. 

One of six Fields of Remembrance across the UK, the National Memorial Arboretum RBL Field of Remembrance was officially opened with a special service where those in attendance honoured the two-minute silence at 11am, before a bulger played the Last Post and the Exhortation was read. 

Every year, thousands of people show their support with a personal tribute, with over 30,000 tributes planted across the six Royal British Legion Fields of Remembrance taking the form of a Remembrance Cross, Muslim Crescent, Star of David, Sikh Khanda, Hindu Om, Secular Tribute or commemorative markers.

Phillippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance at the RBL said: “The RBL plant every tribute we receive, and members of the public can come and visit each site to see their tribute and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving across our Armed Forces.

“Remembrance is part of our nation’s culture and means so much to so many people. With each tribute planted, someone is remembering a loved one, a family member, a friend or comrade, and our six sites allow people to reflect in their own way.”

Former Royal Engineer and RBL Beneficiary, John Webb, was in attendance and said: “Being here at the Field is unbelievable and really brings home the meaning of Remembrance and how much the poppy means to so many people regardless of background. 

“If it wasn’t for the RBL, I wouldn’t be here today. They supported myself and my three children through grief when their mother died in the Covid-19 pandemic and provided essential help including financial guidance, food vouchers and even a laptop so the children could continue home schooling during lockdown. Each donation towards the Poppy Appeal goes towards helping veterans and their families just like mine and I am forever grateful for each person that buys a poppy and shows they care.”

Established in November 1928, The Poppy Factory took a group of disabled veterans, a tray of poppies and a collecting tin to the grounds of St Margaret's Church at Westminster Abbey. It was not a large display, only a handful of poppies were planted around a single cross, but it caught the public attention and began a tradition that has grown over the decades. 

Over 90 years later, the Poppy Factory still organises the Field of Remembrance at Westminster, with RBL organising Fields of Remembrance in other five locations – Gateshead, Staffordshire, Belfast, Swindon and Cardiff. 

The National Memorial Arboretum Field of Remembrance is open from 10am to 4pm daily until 14 November.