Opinion: A symbol of peace. Why I’ll be wearing a white poppy

This year more than ever, I’ll be wearing my white poppy.

As the month of remembrance draws near, many people will be automatically reaching for the red poppy without actually understanding what this symbolises.

When wearing my white poppy, I often get asked about it – in an aggressive tone in some circumstances. When I explain, it’s a symbol of peace, to remember ALL war dead, including civilians, animals and soldiers, both British and foreign, people seem to suddenly understand my choice.

This doesn’t mean that I am not truly grateful for every service person that has laid down their life to give this country its freedoms and for the work that the British Legion does to support British injured and retired soldiers.

The white poppy is nothing new. In fact this year marks its 90th anniversary. They were first produced in 1933 in the aftermath of the First World War, by members of the Co-operative Women’s Guild. Many of these women had lost family and friends in the First World War. They wanted to hold on to the key message of Remembrance Day, ‘never again’.

A commitment to peace at this particular time in history seems even more important than ever. The devastating impact of War that is now constantly streaming news channels, needs to be challenged. War should not be normalised. Peace is not simply the space in between Wars. Another way is possible.

Remembrance is important as of course without the lessons of history we are doomed to make the same mistakes again. But let’s try to focus on the key message of remembrance. Whatever colour poppy you choose to wear, let’s try to remember the message ‘never again’.

White poppies can be purchased from October Books  in Portswood, Southampton, and  online from the Peace Pledge Union.