Blood-Swept Lands and Seas of Red
Date uploaded: November 11, 2014
A final ceramic poppy has been "planted" at the Tower of London today to mark Armistice Day. Volunteers have spent months installing 888,246 hand-made poppie, each representing a British and Commonwealth soldier who died during WW1. It is thought about five million people have visited the artwork entitled 'Blood-Swept Lands and Seas of Red' by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, from Derbyshire.
The last poppy was planted by cadet Harry Hayes, 13, from Reading Blue Coat School and the final names from the Roll of Honour were read out and the guns fired 21 times before the traditional 2 minutes silence.
The title of the work was inspired by a line from the will of a Derbyshire serviceman who died in Flanders. He described "the blood-swept lands and seas of red, where angels fear to tread". The weeping window and wave segments of the installation will be the final sections to be removed and will be on show until the end of the month.
Thousands of the poppies will then go on tour before being permanently based at the Imperial War Museums in London and Manchester.
The prime minister said the display had "in a very short space of time become a much-loved and respected monument".
The poppies have been sold for £25 each with all net proceeds plus 10% of every sale being shared between six service charities, including Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion. It is thought the sales could raise in excess of £15m.
For more details about to project and many more ingaes click here.
