Ceramic poppies from the Tower of London come to the Memorial
The Military Heraldry & Technology section has recently received two ceramic poppies from the Tower of London’s Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red centenary installation for the National Collection. The evocative art installation was on display in the Tower of London’s moat from 5th August to 11th November 2014. 888, 246 individually handmade poppies ‘represented a British military fatality during the war’ and progressively filled the grounds over many months.
British Prime Minister David Cameron presented a ceramic poppy to Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the G20 summit in Brisbane in November 2014. It was one of six poppies presented to commonwealth leaders at the meeting. On Tuesday 17th February 2015 Tony Abbott presented the poppy to AWM Director Brendan Nelson, in the presence of Rear Admiral Doolan, at Parliament House.
The other poppy was privately donated by Mr John Butt of London, who saw service with the Royal Navy from 1977 to 1996. He retired from the Navy as a mechanical air engineering artificer, with the rank of petty officer. John’s poppy travelled a distance of around 17,000kms from London to Canberra, and was received by Assistant Curator Craig Blanch.
Both ceramic poppies arrived in perfect condition, and in their original boxes. Printed on the inside of the box lid is a landscape photograph of the installation, and a step by step assembly guide on the base. An information booklet and official certificate are also included.
The poppies will be preserved in the Memorial’s collection for posterity. They serve not only as a record of a significant First World War centenary and commemorative event, but also symbolise the ongoing relationship between Australia and the United Kingdom.