Huge crowds flocked to the Tower of London for the planting of the final poppy on November 11th 2014, the 96th anniversary of the Armistice ending the First World War.
The last of the 888,246 ceramic poppies took its place in the moat after being handed to 13-year-old cadet Harry Hayes by Paul Cummins, the artist behind ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.’
Each of the poppies encircling the Tower represents a British or colonial death in the First World War.
The installation is estimated to have been seen by more than four million people since it was unveiled at the start of Britain’s Centenary commemorations in August 2014.
The poppies will now be removed and dispatched to people who’ve bought them in aid of service charities.
But two major features of the installation, the ‘Weeping Window’ and the ‘Wave’ will stay at the Tower until the end of November 2014. They will then be exhibited around the UK until 2018, when they will be given to the Imperial War Museum for permanent display at its sites in London and Manchester.
‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red,’ was designed by artist Paul Cummins, with setting by stage designer Tom Piper.
Sources: Historic Royal Palaces, UK Government
Images: Peter Alhadeff, Centenary News
Posted by: Peter Alhadeff, Centenary News