Fundrasing paper poppies : G J Howell, VC

Three red paper poppies with paper covered wire stems. The base of each flower has a green tag stapled around it. This tag is printed with a serial number and signed in ink 'G. Howell V.C.'. Accompanying the flowers is a handwritten note which reads 'Inverell 9/12/30 Dear Mr Elwin, I am forwarding on behalf of the Poppy Day Appeal Authorities a poppy autographed by a V.C. Winner to be handed to each of your workers on Poppy Day,and on their behalf please convey to those workers the authorities best wishes and appreciation. Yours sincerely (illegible signature) Hon Secy RSSL'.

From 1921 the Returned Soldiers and Sailors Imperial League (RSSIL), later to become the Returned Services League (RSL) began selling red poppies on Armistice or Remembrance Day (11 November) to raise money. In 1930 the First World War Victoria Cross winner, George Julian Howell signed these poppies to be distributed by Mr William Elwin to his workers as a reward to those selling poppies on behalf of the Inverell RSSIL branch.