The final ceramic poppy has been planted at the Tower of London this morning, as the nation paid tribute to the millions of British servicemen who have died in conflict since the start of the First World War.
The 888,246th poppy - representing the life of the 888,246th soldier who died in the Great War - was planted by 13-year-old cadet Harry Hayes to mark the completion of Blood Swept Lands And Seas of Red, the poignant memorial which has filled the Tower's moat and attracted some five million visitors to the Tower of London. In fact, the exhibition has proven so popular that it's been extended for a further fortnight.
This morning, thousands flocked to the Tower to pay their respects to the nation's war dead, on an especially poignant Armistice Day, 100 years since the start of the First World War.
And, by the time the bugler sounded the Last Post just before 11am, thousands more had gathered to take part in the two-minute silence.
But their numbers were dwarfed by the masses of red ceramic poppies spilling from the historic royal palace.
Volunteers have spent months progressively installing the hand-made poppies - each representing a British soldier who died during WW1 - in the dry 16-acre moat in front of the tower.
Each of the 888,245 blooms already in the Tower's moat represents a British military death during the First World War and the vast sea of red gives a stark indication of Britain's loss during the conflict.
Just before 11am, a 21-round minute gun was fired by the Honourable Artillery Company on the Tower of London's wharf, before the Roll of Honour – containing 200 names of some of the fallen from the First World War – was read out by Constable of the Tower of London General the Lord Dannatt.
After the final name was read out a young army cadet, Harry, from the Reading Blue Coat School Combined Cadet Force, Berkshire, collected the last poppy from artist Paul Cummins and walked towards the raised grass area where he planted the final poppy.
The last of the poppies is planted: Thousands flock to Tower of London to see teenage cadet put the final ceramic flower in place as the nation falls silent to remember Britain's war dead
The final poppy - the 888,246th - was planted at the Tower of London by cadet Harry Hayes, 13, this morning
He collected the flower from memorial artist Paul Cummins before marching through the crimson carpet of poppies
Tens of thousands flocked to memorial this morning to pay their respects to the nation's war dead on Armistice Day
There was a 21-gun salute by the Honourable Artillery Company on the Tower's wharf and the final roll of honour
General the Lord Dannatt, Constable of the Tower of London, read the famous poem For The Fallen to the crowd
Blood Swept Lands And Seas of Red was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War
Thousands more people gathered in Trafalgar Square, where the Royal British Legion held its Silence In The Square
David Cameron paid his respects at Cenotaph in Whitehall in a service organised by the Western Front Association
Elsewhere, a wreath was laid under the Arc de Triomphe, Paris, while the Last Post played in the Belgian town of Ypres
By Steph Cockroft for MailOnline
11 November 2014
Daily Mail
The final ceramic poppy has been planted at the Tower of London this morning, as the nation paid tribute to the millions of British servicemen who have died in conflict since the start of the First World War.
The 888,246th poppy - representing the life of the 888,246th soldier who died in the Great War - was planted by 13-year-old cadet Harry Hayes to mark the completion of Blood Swept Lands And Seas of Red, the poignant memorial which has filled the Tower's moat and attracted some five million visitors to the Tower of London.
This morning, thousands flocked to the Tower to pay their respects to the nation's war dead, on an especially poignant Armistice Day, 100 years since the start of the First World War.
And, by the time the bugler sounded the Last Post just before 11am, thousands more had gathered to take part in the two-minute silence.
13-year-old cadet Harry Hayes planted the final ceramic poppy at the Tower of London this morning to mark Armistice Day
The teenager collected the poppy from the memorial's artist Paul Cummins (top) before planting the poppy (bottom)
The military cadet (centre) walked with Mr Paul Cummins to the spot where the final poppy would be planted at the memorial
Harry, from the Reading Blue Coat School Combined Cadet Force, then pierced the ceramic flower into the grass mound
Harry saluted to thousands in the crowd as he completed the vibrant red swathe of Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red
The young cadet wore his full military attire including a poppy-embellished beret while undertaking the honour of planting the poppy
The teenager joined the cadets earlier this year, becoming the latest in a long line of men in his family to have served
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg shares a moment with the young cadet before he plants the final poppy in the memorial
Harry Alexander Hayes is a Year 9 student at Reading Blue Coat School in Berkshire
But their numbers were dwarfed by the masses of red ceramic poppies spilling from the historic royal palace.
Volunteers have spent months progressively installing the hand-made poppies - each representing a British soldier who died during WW1 - in the dry 16-acre moat in front of the tower.
Each of the 888,245 blooms already in the Tower's moat represents a British military death during the First World War.
Just before 11am, a 21-round minute gun was fired by the Honourable Artillery Company on the Tower of London's wharf, before the Roll of Honour – containing 200 names of some of the fallen from the First World War – was read out by Constable of the Tower of London General the Lord Dannatt.
After the final name was read out a young army cadet, Harry, from the Reading Blue Coat School Combined Cadet Force, Berkshire, collected the last poppy from artist Paul Cummins and walked towards the raised grass area where he planted the final poppy.
As well as Mr Cummins, artist Tom Piper was at the installation, as well as the volunteers who helped to plant the poppies and beneficiaries from the service charities involved.
General the Lord Dannatt, Constable of the Tower of London, read from the famous poem For The Fallen ahead of the traditional two-minute silence observed by millions across the country.
He said: 'On behalf of Historic Royal Palaces and the Tower of London I would like to offer my most sincere and humble thanks to the millions of people from around the world who have supported our installation to mark the centenary anniversary of the First World War.
'From the volunteers who helped to plant the poppies, to those that have purchased their own poppy, those that dedicated names for our Roll of Honour and to all the many members of the public who have visited to pay their respects.
'We always hoped the installation would capture the public imagination yet we could not predict the level of support we have received and for this we are truly grateful.
'Not only have we raised vital funds for six service charities but I hope we have also created a fitting tribute to all those who lost their lives'.
Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for the Tower of London, commissioned the installation created by artists Paul Cummins and Tom Piper and as part of the evolving installation of 888,246 ceramic poppies that have progressively filled the Tower's moat.
The poppies now encircle the iconic landmark, creating a spectacular display visible from all around the Tower offering a location for personal reflection.
The scale of the installation is intended to reflect the magnitude of such an important centenary, creating a powerful visual commemoration.
The ceremony marked a national day of tributes for Armistice Day. Since last year's Armistice Day, another seven members of the British armed forces have died in service - including five who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in April.
Private and public commemorations took part across the UK and further afield, including the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and at Ypres on the former Western Front in Belgium.
A plaque was unveiled at Glasgow's Central Station. It reads: 'On these platforms, in two world wars, hundreds of thousands of servicemen and women said good-bye to their families, some for the last time.'
Thousands more people gathered in Trafalgar Square, where the Royal British Legion held its Silence In The Square from 10am. Led by Good Morning Britain presenter Ben Shephard, attendees threw poppy petals into the fountain to mark the end of the silence.
Prime Minister David Cameron paid his respects at the Cenotaph in Whitehall in a remembrance service organised by the Western Front Association.
The Queen privately observed the two-minute silence before beginning an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Harry (fifth from right) lined up with other dignitaries at the art installation at the Tower of London for this morning's commemoration
Servicemen walk through each of the 888,245 blooms, which represents a British military death during the First World War
Crowds look on at the ceramic poppies as they prepare to take part in the memorial service for Armistice Day
A huge crowd gathered to watch as the final poppy was planted in the moat at the Tower of London during this morning's ceremony
HARRY, THE FINAL POPPY PLANTER
Harry Alexander Hayes is a Year 9 student at Reading Blue Coat School in Berkshire.
Today, he planted poppy number 888,246 at the Tower of London.
This year, he joined the Army Cadets after becoming eligible when he turned 13.
He has become the latest in a long line of men in his family to have served.
Reading Blue Coat School tutor Will Mitchell said he was a positive and happy student who had joined the school just this year:
'He's settled in remarkably well. He is quite conscientious boy who's very positive and always smiling,' he said.
Harry's great-great uncle died in World War One and his father is a major in the Combined Cadet Force.
Wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph, including by pupils of Thetford Grammar School, which lost seven former pupils and four teachers in the First World War.
Seven-year-old schoolboys Alexander Boys-Smith, Noah Kontto-Stubbs and Thomas Dunn, from Eaton House School in Belgravia, also took part in the ceremony.
Headteacher Lucy Watts said: 'It is a huge privilege to be here. It is something that has become a tradition for our school but we are very conscious that it is just a small number of schools who have this opportunity.'
Another was laid by Valerie Beattie, 59, for her great uncle Leonard Flanders Peacock, who died in the Somme.
She said: 'He volunteered at the age of 30. He was killed in the Battle for High Wood on the 30th of July 1916. It's very emotional to be here today.'
A bugler from the Grenadier Guards signalled the start of the silence by playing the Last Post.
Singer Cerys Matthews read the poem In Flanders Fields.
She said: 'My grandfather died this year. He was a war veteran of the Second World War so it is with respect to all family members lost in wars over the years that I come and pay my respects.
'Poetry is so powerful and a great way of stepping in somebody's shoes and trying to get a fuller picture and an idea of how it might have felt.'
General the Lord Dannatt, pictured, read out 200 names of the fallen during the ceremony at the poppies at the Tower of London
Smoke from a gun salute was seen behind crowds at the service this morning at the completed Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red
A yeoman warder looked across the poppies before the ceremony took place, attended by tens of thousands from around the world
In Market Weighton, East Yorkshire, four-year-old Anna Howlett planted the final clay poppy at her school, St Mary's RC Primary School, where pupils had made and planted one poppy for every child.
In Edinburgh, services were held in the Garden of Remembrance, attended by players from the Scottish rugby team.
Elsewhere, French President Francois Hollande laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
A memorial service was held in the Afghan capital Kabul for British servicemen killed there.
And in the Belgian town of Ypres there was a special sounding of the Last Post to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the war.
Richard Hughes, of the Western Front Association, said this year's commemorations were not just about the end of the First World War.
He said: 'We have got the modern version here with us stepping back from Afghanistan. That itself has tremendous resonance.'
Armistice Day has been marked on the November 11 every year since 1919 - a year after the Allied forces signed an agreement with the Germans that would end the First World War.
Although at first former servicemen wanted to forget the horrifying experiences of war, a decade later remembrance became more popular.
Stephen Clarke, head of remembrance for the British Legion, said, 'By the late 1920s, veterans wanted to renew the special bonds of comradeship.'
After the Second World War, commemorations were adapted to honour the fallen of both conflicts, and Remembrance Sunday was established to replace Armistice Day.
In the 1980s, as the number of surviving First World War veterans quickly fell, some commentators believed that remembrance would come to fade away.
From 1995, the British Legion campaigned successfully to restore the two-minute silence to November 11 as well as Remembrance Sunday, and recent years have seen a resurgence in support for commemoration events.
Mr Hughes said a growing interest in family history and the losses of more recent wars have made remembrance more significant, particularly to current servicemen.
He said, 'The notion of remembrance has become important again. It has stopped being obscure old history.
'To be part of that continuing tradition of remembrance gives soldiers a great comfort and it gives their families great comfort.'
This year's centenary of the beginning of the First World War has opened another generation's eyes to the magnitude of the conflict.
Mr Hughes said: 'The biggest single change for society in this country was the First World War. It had a far more profound effect on the country than the Second World War.
A poppy for each of the fallen: Thousands flock to Tower of London to see last of 888,245 ceramic flowers planted as they pay their respects to Britain's war dead | Daily Mail Online
The 888,246th poppy - representing the life of the 888,246th soldier who died in the Great War - was planted by 13-year-old cadet Harry Hayes to mark the completion of Blood Swept Lands And Seas of Red, the poignant memorial which has filled the Tower's moat and attracted some five million visitors to the Tower of London. In fact, the exhibition has proven so popular that it's been extended for a further fortnight.
This morning, thousands flocked to the Tower to pay their respects to the nation's war dead, on an especially poignant Armistice Day, 100 years since the start of the First World War.
And, by the time the bugler sounded the Last Post just before 11am, thousands more had gathered to take part in the two-minute silence.
But their numbers were dwarfed by the masses of red ceramic poppies spilling from the historic royal palace.
Volunteers have spent months progressively installing the hand-made poppies - each representing a British soldier who died during WW1 - in the dry 16-acre moat in front of the tower.
Each of the 888,245 blooms already in the Tower's moat represents a British military death during the First World War and the vast sea of red gives a stark indication of Britain's loss during the conflict.
Just before 11am, a 21-round minute gun was fired by the Honourable Artillery Company on the Tower of London's wharf, before the Roll of Honour – containing 200 names of some of the fallen from the First World War – was read out by Constable of the Tower of London General the Lord Dannatt.
After the final name was read out a young army cadet, Harry, from the Reading Blue Coat School Combined Cadet Force, Berkshire, collected the last poppy from artist Paul Cummins and walked towards the raised grass area where he planted the final poppy.
The last of the poppies is planted: Thousands flock to Tower of London to see teenage cadet put the final ceramic flower in place as the nation falls silent to remember Britain's war dead
The final poppy - the 888,246th - was planted at the Tower of London by cadet Harry Hayes, 13, this morning
He collected the flower from memorial artist Paul Cummins before marching through the crimson carpet of poppies
Tens of thousands flocked to memorial this morning to pay their respects to the nation's war dead on Armistice Day
There was a 21-gun salute by the Honourable Artillery Company on the Tower's wharf and the final roll of honour
General the Lord Dannatt, Constable of the Tower of London, read the famous poem For The Fallen to the crowd
Blood Swept Lands And Seas of Red was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War
Thousands more people gathered in Trafalgar Square, where the Royal British Legion held its Silence In The Square
David Cameron paid his respects at Cenotaph in Whitehall in a service organised by the Western Front Association
Elsewhere, a wreath was laid under the Arc de Triomphe, Paris, while the Last Post played in the Belgian town of Ypres
By Steph Cockroft for MailOnline
11 November 2014
Daily Mail
The final ceramic poppy has been planted at the Tower of London this morning, as the nation paid tribute to the millions of British servicemen who have died in conflict since the start of the First World War.
The 888,246th poppy - representing the life of the 888,246th soldier who died in the Great War - was planted by 13-year-old cadet Harry Hayes to mark the completion of Blood Swept Lands And Seas of Red, the poignant memorial which has filled the Tower's moat and attracted some five million visitors to the Tower of London.
This morning, thousands flocked to the Tower to pay their respects to the nation's war dead, on an especially poignant Armistice Day, 100 years since the start of the First World War.
And, by the time the bugler sounded the Last Post just before 11am, thousands more had gathered to take part in the two-minute silence.
13-year-old cadet Harry Hayes planted the final ceramic poppy at the Tower of London this morning to mark Armistice Day
The teenager collected the poppy from the memorial's artist Paul Cummins (top) before planting the poppy (bottom)
The military cadet (centre) walked with Mr Paul Cummins to the spot where the final poppy would be planted at the memorial
Harry, from the Reading Blue Coat School Combined Cadet Force, then pierced the ceramic flower into the grass mound
Harry saluted to thousands in the crowd as he completed the vibrant red swathe of Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red
The young cadet wore his full military attire including a poppy-embellished beret while undertaking the honour of planting the poppy
The teenager joined the cadets earlier this year, becoming the latest in a long line of men in his family to have served
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg shares a moment with the young cadet before he plants the final poppy in the memorial
Harry Alexander Hayes is a Year 9 student at Reading Blue Coat School in Berkshire
But their numbers were dwarfed by the masses of red ceramic poppies spilling from the historic royal palace.
Volunteers have spent months progressively installing the hand-made poppies - each representing a British soldier who died during WW1 - in the dry 16-acre moat in front of the tower.
Each of the 888,245 blooms already in the Tower's moat represents a British military death during the First World War.
Just before 11am, a 21-round minute gun was fired by the Honourable Artillery Company on the Tower of London's wharf, before the Roll of Honour – containing 200 names of some of the fallen from the First World War – was read out by Constable of the Tower of London General the Lord Dannatt.
After the final name was read out a young army cadet, Harry, from the Reading Blue Coat School Combined Cadet Force, Berkshire, collected the last poppy from artist Paul Cummins and walked towards the raised grass area where he planted the final poppy.
As well as Mr Cummins, artist Tom Piper was at the installation, as well as the volunteers who helped to plant the poppies and beneficiaries from the service charities involved.
General the Lord Dannatt, Constable of the Tower of London, read from the famous poem For The Fallen ahead of the traditional two-minute silence observed by millions across the country.
He said: 'On behalf of Historic Royal Palaces and the Tower of London I would like to offer my most sincere and humble thanks to the millions of people from around the world who have supported our installation to mark the centenary anniversary of the First World War.
'From the volunteers who helped to plant the poppies, to those that have purchased their own poppy, those that dedicated names for our Roll of Honour and to all the many members of the public who have visited to pay their respects.
'We always hoped the installation would capture the public imagination yet we could not predict the level of support we have received and for this we are truly grateful.
'Not only have we raised vital funds for six service charities but I hope we have also created a fitting tribute to all those who lost their lives'.
Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that cares for the Tower of London, commissioned the installation created by artists Paul Cummins and Tom Piper and as part of the evolving installation of 888,246 ceramic poppies that have progressively filled the Tower's moat.
The poppies now encircle the iconic landmark, creating a spectacular display visible from all around the Tower offering a location for personal reflection.
The scale of the installation is intended to reflect the magnitude of such an important centenary, creating a powerful visual commemoration.
The ceremony marked a national day of tributes for Armistice Day. Since last year's Armistice Day, another seven members of the British armed forces have died in service - including five who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in April.
Private and public commemorations took part across the UK and further afield, including the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and at Ypres on the former Western Front in Belgium.
A plaque was unveiled at Glasgow's Central Station. It reads: 'On these platforms, in two world wars, hundreds of thousands of servicemen and women said good-bye to their families, some for the last time.'
Thousands more people gathered in Trafalgar Square, where the Royal British Legion held its Silence In The Square from 10am. Led by Good Morning Britain presenter Ben Shephard, attendees threw poppy petals into the fountain to mark the end of the silence.
Prime Minister David Cameron paid his respects at the Cenotaph in Whitehall in a remembrance service organised by the Western Front Association.
The Queen privately observed the two-minute silence before beginning an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Harry (fifth from right) lined up with other dignitaries at the art installation at the Tower of London for this morning's commemoration
Servicemen walk through each of the 888,245 blooms, which represents a British military death during the First World War
Crowds look on at the ceramic poppies as they prepare to take part in the memorial service for Armistice Day
A huge crowd gathered to watch as the final poppy was planted in the moat at the Tower of London during this morning's ceremony
HARRY, THE FINAL POPPY PLANTER
Harry Alexander Hayes is a Year 9 student at Reading Blue Coat School in Berkshire.
Today, he planted poppy number 888,246 at the Tower of London.
This year, he joined the Army Cadets after becoming eligible when he turned 13.
He has become the latest in a long line of men in his family to have served.
Reading Blue Coat School tutor Will Mitchell said he was a positive and happy student who had joined the school just this year:
'He's settled in remarkably well. He is quite conscientious boy who's very positive and always smiling,' he said.
Harry's great-great uncle died in World War One and his father is a major in the Combined Cadet Force.
Wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph, including by pupils of Thetford Grammar School, which lost seven former pupils and four teachers in the First World War.
Seven-year-old schoolboys Alexander Boys-Smith, Noah Kontto-Stubbs and Thomas Dunn, from Eaton House School in Belgravia, also took part in the ceremony.
Headteacher Lucy Watts said: 'It is a huge privilege to be here. It is something that has become a tradition for our school but we are very conscious that it is just a small number of schools who have this opportunity.'
Another was laid by Valerie Beattie, 59, for her great uncle Leonard Flanders Peacock, who died in the Somme.
She said: 'He volunteered at the age of 30. He was killed in the Battle for High Wood on the 30th of July 1916. It's very emotional to be here today.'
A bugler from the Grenadier Guards signalled the start of the silence by playing the Last Post.
Singer Cerys Matthews read the poem In Flanders Fields.
She said: 'My grandfather died this year. He was a war veteran of the Second World War so it is with respect to all family members lost in wars over the years that I come and pay my respects.
'Poetry is so powerful and a great way of stepping in somebody's shoes and trying to get a fuller picture and an idea of how it might have felt.'
General the Lord Dannatt, pictured, read out 200 names of the fallen during the ceremony at the poppies at the Tower of London
Smoke from a gun salute was seen behind crowds at the service this morning at the completed Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red
A yeoman warder looked across the poppies before the ceremony took place, attended by tens of thousands from around the world
In Market Weighton, East Yorkshire, four-year-old Anna Howlett planted the final clay poppy at her school, St Mary's RC Primary School, where pupils had made and planted one poppy for every child.
In Edinburgh, services were held in the Garden of Remembrance, attended by players from the Scottish rugby team.
Elsewhere, French President Francois Hollande laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
A memorial service was held in the Afghan capital Kabul for British servicemen killed there.
And in the Belgian town of Ypres there was a special sounding of the Last Post to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the war.
Richard Hughes, of the Western Front Association, said this year's commemorations were not just about the end of the First World War.
He said: 'We have got the modern version here with us stepping back from Afghanistan. That itself has tremendous resonance.'
Armistice Day has been marked on the November 11 every year since 1919 - a year after the Allied forces signed an agreement with the Germans that would end the First World War.
Although at first former servicemen wanted to forget the horrifying experiences of war, a decade later remembrance became more popular.
Stephen Clarke, head of remembrance for the British Legion, said, 'By the late 1920s, veterans wanted to renew the special bonds of comradeship.'
After the Second World War, commemorations were adapted to honour the fallen of both conflicts, and Remembrance Sunday was established to replace Armistice Day.
In the 1980s, as the number of surviving First World War veterans quickly fell, some commentators believed that remembrance would come to fade away.
From 1995, the British Legion campaigned successfully to restore the two-minute silence to November 11 as well as Remembrance Sunday, and recent years have seen a resurgence in support for commemoration events.
Mr Hughes said a growing interest in family history and the losses of more recent wars have made remembrance more significant, particularly to current servicemen.
He said, 'The notion of remembrance has become important again. It has stopped being obscure old history.
'To be part of that continuing tradition of remembrance gives soldiers a great comfort and it gives their families great comfort.'
This year's centenary of the beginning of the First World War has opened another generation's eyes to the magnitude of the conflict.
Mr Hughes said: 'The biggest single change for society in this country was the First World War. It had a far more profound effect on the country than the Second World War.
A poppy for each of the fallen: Thousands flock to Tower of London to see last of 888,245 ceramic flowers planted as they pay their respects to Britain's war dead | Daily Mail Online
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