I wear my poppy for my grandfather and two great uncles who were killed at Ypres. I wear my poppy for my father who survived a Japanese prisoner of war camp. I wear my poppy for all those who were killed on both sides, whether combatants or non-combatants. I wear my poppy for all these whose lives have been torn apart by war. And, above all, I wear my poppy to remind us all never to do it again.

And, no, I am not a pacifist. I am too old now, but if I was younger, I would still fight for peace.

I wear a poppy to remember all of the fallen in conflict, regardless of how they were killed or what side they were on. I'm happy for the donation to benefit our own veterans with the RBL, but the act of remembrance itself is much wider than that for me. When I was in Afghanistan we held a remembrance ceremony every week, and the names of the fallen for that week were read out regardless of the flag they served under. The Canadians also use a poppy for remembrance, so it's not just us, and they also did some nifty poppy patches that were ideal for PCS - perhaps the RBL could consider that idea.

I think remembrance is more important than ever in a world where hatred and suspicion seems to be growing, but I fear that the real meaning of "we will remember them" and "lest we forget" are being lost.

Yes I guess so, but I suspect that a large number of those red poppy wearers who did fight are now pacifists too, having experienced the harsh reality of war. "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori?" - it certainly isn't. I sometimes have an uneasy feeling that I have had an easy ride in this respect. I had an enjoyable time in the RAF and look back on it with pride, but then I reflect that ultimately my job was to go out and kill my country's enemies, or be killed by them, and I thank goodness that I was never put to the test.

Thank you for your thoughts. Illuminating. On deeper reflection I think I am associating the red poppy solely with the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior – a tribute that if enacted today causes me to wonder if the gesture would reflect a wider field.

Apropos nothing in particular, I would recommend George Macdonald Fraser’s (yes, the author of the Flashman series) book, “Quartered Safe Out Here”.

As a previous poster said, remembrance for him is a personal thing, which I also agree with. A lady from overseas once asked "Why so many people wearing flowers?" It was explained to her, and she declared that she was going to buy one too, which I thought was lovely. We all have our reasons.

Going back to the question posed at the start of the thread, I too would be of a fairly liberal disposition regarding broadening the scope of those remembered by the wearing of the poppy. What I would be less liberal about however would be any attempt to broaden the claims on the funds raised by the poppy appeal. There is little enough to go around military charities as things stand, and any dilution would be unwelcome.

On a warming June morning in 2016 I stood below Polygon wood with a battlefield guide who casually mentioned that between the main road which I think was the A17 and the treeline on a 2 thousand yard front there were an estimated 7000 bodies still lying in the soil. I bent and picked a poppy truly enriched by the blood of man. I keep that June morning in mind every time someone denigrates the vast sacrifices made. Wear it with pride and remember what we are honoring individual courage and sacrifice not political stupidity I fully concur that funds should support the service charities only