History of the Poppy

Each November, Poppies bloom on the lapels and collars of millions of Canadians. The significance of the Poppy can be traced back to the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th  century, over 110 years before being adopted in Canada. Records from that time indicate how dense Poppies grew over the graves of soldiers in the area of Flanders, France. Fields that had been barren before battle exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended. During the tremendous bombardments of the war, the chalk soils became rich in lime from rubble, allowing the “popaver rhoeas” to thrive. When the war ended, the lime was quickly absorbed and the Poppy began to disappear again.

The person who first introduced the Poppy to Canada and the Commonwealth was Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae of Guelph, Ontario, a Canadian Medical Officer during the First World War. John McCrae penned the Poem “In Flanders Fields” on a scrap of paper in May, 1915 on the day following the death of a fellow soldier. Little did he know then that those 13 lines would become enshrined in the hearts and minds of all who would wear the poppy. McCrae’s poem was published in Punch Magazine in December of that same year.

The idea for the Remembrance Poppy was conceived by Madame Anna Guérin of France. She was inspired by John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields.” Anna had originally founded a charity to help rebuild regions of France torn apart by the First World War, and created poppies made of fabric to raise funds.

Later, Anna presented her concept to France’s allies, including the precursor to The Royal Canadian Legion, The Great War Veterans Association. The idea was considered at a meeting in Port Arthur, Ontario (now Thunder Bay) and was adopted on July 6, 1921.

Today, the Poppy is worn each year during the Remembrance period to honour Canada 's Fallen. The Legion also encourages the wearing of a Poppy for the funeral of a Veteran and for any commemorative event honouring Fallen Veterans. It is not inappropriate to wear a Poppy during other times to commemorate Fallen Veterans and it is an individual choice to do so, as long as it’s worn appropriately.

Thanks to the millions of Canadians who wear the Legion’s lapel Poppy each November, the little red flower has never died, and the memories of those who fell in battle remain strong.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae

~ May 3, 1915
(As published in Punch Magazine, December 8, 1915)

Our Poppy Campaign

The Poppy Campaign starts on the last Friday of October and finishes on November 11th . The success of our campaign has always been our volunteers and is one of the most successful in Quebec. We have 6 locations where we ask volunteers to sell Poppies for a 3-hour period. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Legion (450-466-0308) and leave your name and coordinates and you will be contacted.

With all of the funds received from Poppy sales and donations, we support our veterans, their families and our community.

Donations

The Charles Lemoyne Hospital, Saint Anne’s Veterans’ Hospital, Pierre Boucher Hospital, Old Brewer Mission, Soldier On, Military Family Resource Center, Greenfield Park Christmas Baskets, HOPE (Helping Other People Effectively), Bursaries Centennial High School, 1979 Greenfield Park Cadets Corp, Air Cadets 827 Longueuil Squadron, Oglilvy’s Veterans Christmas Tree Fund, Veterans Music Trust Fund, Veterans in the Caribbean B.C.E.L. Fund.

The Poppy Campaign is the foundation of our Remembrance Program. We provide Canadians with the opportunity to Remember by providing them with a Poppy and to participate at Remembrance Day services. Our Remembrance activities however, go far beyond the two weeks leading up to November 11 each year. Canadians are generous when they see our Poppy volunteers on the street and the collection trays in the stores. As a result of this generosity, we are able to ensure that Veterans and their families are cared for and treated with the respect that they deserve. 

The willingness to participate in the Poppy Campaign is one of the obligations we undertake when we become Members of The Royal Canadian Legion. All of us must strive to never forget this solemn undertaking — it is part of the debt that we owe to those who have gone before. It is through the Poppy Campaign and the generosity of our fellow citizens that, in addition to providing assistance to Veterans and their families, we foster the Tradition of Remembrance amongst our youth, the leaders of tomorrow.