'A Message in a Poppy'

BLOG: 2019 CS TOUR

“Message in a poppy.”

When I first read of the ‘Message in a poppy’ via social media, I had reservations about the intent and ethics of the project. However, due to a lack of understanding and knowledge of the initiative, I was clearly totally wrong to have any concerns about the project or its producer Jan Fieuw. So, what is the ‘Message in a poppy’ all about?

To set the scene, I need to go back to last month when the CS tour group were in Flanders at the grave of my great uncle Martin Neagle. The day was perfect with sunny weather and clear blue skies. As with all of the CS commemorations, Martin Neagle’s story was shared with the group along with that of my mother Cathy (MacFarlane) Royal. Our Belgian friend Frank Mahieu had kindly organised piper Gil Vermeulen, in full Scottish kit, to play the pipes as part of the commemoration. Cathy’s favourite song “Amazing Grace” wafted through the trees of Polygon Wood and the moment could not have been more perfect. Well…there was so much more to come on this emotional roller coaster.

Following the graveside ceremony and a cathartic walk through the woods, we visited the oak sapling dedicated to my great uncle in the Polygon Wood of Peace …the 500 oak trees that are living memorials to some of the many thousands who died in the infamous Battle of Passchendaele in October of 1917. Once again, 18 year old Gil, drew us together with the strains of ‘Waltzing Matilda’ played on the bagpipes. For all present, it was an evocative moment.

If I thought that was the end of this incredible day, once again I was in for yet another surprise. Frank and Greg directed us to a field close by and I recognised it from my visit there last year: it was the location where Pte. James Martin Clement Neagle was killed in action and initially buried. Then Greg stopped me to pull out a number of things from a bag: a folder, a tiny box and a couple of other items. I was about to receive a ‘Message in a poppy’. Its producer, Jan had located Martin’s death place by cross referencing the co-ordinates from a trench map in September 1917 with a burial record. The exact spot was identified. From there Jan investigated the soil in and around where Martin was killed and found a number of lead shrapnel balls. These are all over the fields of Flanders as the iron harvest of WW1 continues to produce the detritus of war.

Each of these stages were carefully photographed and recorded ready for the next step…the production of a unique poppy badge. And so there I was in the field where Cathy’s favourite uncle lost his life to the ravages of war, holding the tiny box containing my lead poppy badge. A folder with all the story of the ‘Message in a poppy’ was presented to me and needless to say, that moment was one I will never forget. Words can’t convey that surreal experience, and I will always be grateful to the people of Belgium like Frank, Greg and now Jan for all they do to honour the memory of our lost relatives. ‘Message in a poppy’ will stay with me forever.