By Bill Heaney
HM Naval Base Clyde personnel have come together to help launch the 2024 Poppy Scotland Appeal.
Naval Base staff visiting the HMS Neptune Supermess for lunch took some time to make their donations and receive their poppies which will be available to buy in various locations across the site.
Captain Boyd, Captain of the Base, was first in line to buy one of the first poppies on sale in the Naval Base for this year’s appeal.
“It’s an honour to see the One Clyde Community gathered once again to support Poppy Scotland,” said Captain Boyd.
“Wearing the poppy today, we stand together in remembrance of the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces, past and present, and reaffirm our commitment to supporting those who serve and have served.”
Naval Base staff give generously to this year’s Poppy appeal.
The poppy has been a symbol of Remembrance since 1921 when the first nine million poppies were made and sold at the request of Earl Haig.
Earl Haig’s first poppy factory was in Richmond in 1922 but demand for poppies was so high that very few reached Scotland. And so, the four-petalled Scottish poppy was born when Lady Haig established a factory in Edinburgh in 1926 to produce them exclusively for Scotland.
Originally established within the grounds of Whitefoord House, the factory is now located on Warriston Road in Edinburgh.
In the beginning, the poppies were made by two ex-servicemen, a pair of scissors and some tissue paper. Now a team of 34 disabled ex-servicemen and women manufacture all items for the Scottish Poppy Appeal. Today the new plastic free poppies are manufactured mechanically, which allows the workforce to concentrate on other work outputs.
The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s largest fundraising campaign and takes place annually in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday in November.
Money raised during the Scottish Poppy Appeal is used to provide vital life-changing support to the Armed Forces community in Scotland. From advice to employment support, Poppy Scotland are there to provide a helping hand to those who have served, still serving and their families.
Top of page picture: Captain Boyd makes her donation for the first poppy while Royal Navy personnel attend the Poppy Launch in the HMNB Clyde Supermess.