Poppies for Anzac Day

I made several poppies to decorate the RSA building grounds where the Anzac parade/service is held every year. I sewed on the poppies just as dusk was falling the night before Anzac Day. The poppies were still in place for the Anzac Parade at 10.45 am and I heard several people making positive comments about the knitted poppies :-) 

The first few photos were taken immediately after I had attached the poppies. The last five photos were taken on Anzac Day.

After the laying of wreaths and flowers

I used this pattern for most of the poppies and this one for the larger poppy attached to the flag pole. Both those links take you to the relevant pattern pages on ravelry. 

Anzac Day occurs on 25th April every year and is marked in New Zealand and Australia. It commemorates all those who lost their lives in war, and also honours returned servicemen and women. "ANZAC" is an acronym formed from the first letters of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which was the group soldiers were formed into in Egypt before landing at Gallipoli in April 1915. 

Anzac Day was first marked in 1916, and Anzac Day ceremonies are held all over New Zealand. For a little village like ours, we had a very good turn out and everyone was in good voice. As usual the "Last Post" brought me out in goosebumps. . . For the first time ever, Sonny Jim took part in the parade, with the rest of his Cub Scout group, and when the appropriate time came he solemnly laid his poppy on the memorial. As for me, I had already placed my poppies the night before. . .

Some of the crowd at the Anzac Day ceremony

Sonny Jim places his poppy


They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.