Formed in 1921 to provide welfare to soldiers returning from the First World War, the Royal British Legion is the UK’s leading military charity. In May 2021, the Legion celebrated its centenary.

The We Are the Legion book, authored by historian Julie Summers, tells the extraordinary story of support for those who have served in wars and peacekeeping operations, from finding jobs and housing, to healing injuries and the trauma of conflict.

We Are the Legion covers every aspect of the Legion’s work: the history of the poppy, its latest work on rehabilitation and support, and of course its key role in Remembrance.

The poppy is a well-known and well-established symbol, one that carries a wealth of history and meaning with it. Wearing a poppy is a very personal choice, reflecting individual experiences and personal memories.

During WWI, much of the fighting took place in Western Europe, and the countryside turned bleak and barren – with a notable and striking exception, the bright red Flanders poppies flourished.

Touched by sight of these resilient flowers which grew in thousands and thousands, Canadian doctor Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote ‘In Flanders Fields’.

The poem inspired the adoption of the poppy as the emblem of The Royal British Legion, and poppies were first sold to raise charitable funds on 11 November 1921.

Julie visited Burneside mills to find out more about the history of the paper poppy used in this iconic symbol.

The paper poppy design was first produced in the 1970s. A shout went out to paper mills for assistance in finding a bleed-free paper, and the partnership between James Cropper and the Royal British Legion began.

James Cropper now delivers 3 miles (5km) of paper to the Legion’s two poppy factories every year, the red paper being on 1,500 metre rolls and the green on 1,000, reflecting the balance of red and green in the made-up poppies.

Today’s simplified poppy design is ideal for mass production by machine, and the annual Poppy Appeal funds the charity’s support which reaches far beyond the factory. The charity helps serving personnel, veterans and their families to overcome mental and physical health conditions and thrive, wherever they are based.

Remembrance in the UK today is very different than it was 100 years ago. The poppy remains a humble, poignant symbol of Remembrance and hope.