And another thing…

“I do occasionally get reprimanded by certain Scottish colleagues for wearing an English poppy”

That is really unspeakable, Tom. Probably best you don’t tell us who they are, the nasty bigots.

The Scots seek to divide themselves from the hated English at every given opportunity. Anything which can visually distinguish a hated Englishman/woman or supporter, on which to vent their spleen, is a division that meets their approval.
The English don’t mind giving to causes which benefit charities in Scotland as well as their other home nations, but the Scots are selfish that way. They will never change. And there are very few exceptions to that rule.

You could really cause a stir and wear a white one.

Helen Wright: “The Scots seek to divide themselves from the hated English at every given opportunity.”

I let that comment through so that others could read it and feel intelligent by comparison. Helen, just because a dim minority of Scots are bigots does not mean the entire country can be so described. You might as well say that because the English have elected two BNP MEPs, then everyone in England is racist.

What’s the big deal? It’s the sentiment behind buying one. Being an Ex Scots Guardsman who took the Queens Shilling I’d gladly wear both symbols. Money gladly given.

Visit both worthy charities:

Scottish appeal: http://www.poppyscotland.org.uk/

The Royal British Legion appeal:
http://www.poppy.org.uk/

James D: “You could really cause a stir and wear a white one.”

Yeah, you know, I don’t see that happening.

I wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t mentioned it…

Really.

However, do agree. And at this time of the year doesn’t matter which of the four nations soldiers came from. We owe them all a huge debt which can never be repaid.

The least we can do is remember.

I wasn’t aware there were two types, though it doesn’t really matter, as you say, as long as the money supports our services. It’s slightly sad that some of your Scottish colleagues think that poppy wearing is the time for scoring cheap political points.

Slightly off topic I had a rather surreal “don’t mention the war” experience this time last year regarding poppies. I was due some leave and so two German employees from our European office came to our UK based one, to learn the ropes so that they could cover my absence.

Anyway, part of the remit was to allow them to experience English culture (i.e. take them down the pub on company’s expenses). So there we all were, one evening – ‘team bonding’ – when one the German chaps decides to ‘innocently’ ask; “why do a lot people in England wear these funny little red flowers?”

Needless to say an awkward silence fell over the rest of the table…

I wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t mentioned it…

You will have to remind any dim-witted colleagues who complain about wearing an English poppy that we have the BRITISH army. Not an English or Scottish one but British.

If Dr Who were to sport a specific poppy though, would you switch?

I always wondered why some poppies were crinkly and other weren’t – never noticed the foliage differences though.

I live and learn

PS. No one “buys” a poppy.

Give generously and wear a poppy with pride

>> That is really unspeakable, Tom. Probably best you don’t tell us who they are, the nasty bigots.

Go on.

Wear one of each

So, Scottish poppies are more crooked than English ones? Who knew

Still, regulation on CCTV cameras. Damn, if only I were an MP. I’d be on the edge of my seat (and no, I’m not going to tell you what I do for a living – it’s even more boring than that).

I know it sounds silly but I used to take my penny to school and buy my poppy. I now know it was an English poppy thanks to you Tom. The boys had a plain red poppy and the girls a slightly smaller one with the green leaf at the back. So when I buy my popies now I alway cut off the green leaf. I can remember as a Life Boy on parade at the towns war memorial. with navy blue short trousers marching from the town centre past the memorial to church. I always thought the 11th November should be a bank holiday to remember the fallen.

Tom, you say

“Regiments from throughout the United Kingdom were, after all, fighting to protect a single nation, not four individual ones.”

It is a pity that you have chosen to make a petty political point,
presumably anti-SNP,out of this.

I don’t suppose you realise that many Irishmen fought loyally in the First World War precisely in order and in expectation of the delivery of Home Rule to Ireland as promised by London.

Just for information, as many of my Irish relatives died in the First World War as did my Scottish relatives.

Do the Scots ones fall apart with the same alacrity as the English ones?

Whichever one you wear, remember to put money in all the collecting tins even if you already have a poppy.

You can also set up a standing order and make a monthly donation, remember them all year around.

Of the two types, the Earl Haig one does look more like a real poppy flower.

“given the huge numbers of Scottish men and women who fought in English regiments in the Second World War and in every conflict since then”.. The flow went both ways. Bill Speakman VC (who is still with us)won his award in Korea whilst serving with the Black Watch. Given that he was born in Cheshire and was educated there I would say that he is most definitely an Englishman!

There is an obvious and unanswered question Tom. Where does the money go? Do Scottish poppies only support ex-serviceman in Scotland and English poppies only ex-servicemen in England and Wales (or is someone going to tell me there is a Welsh poppy). If there is no distinction in the way the funds are spent and it was one army, why are there two charities? – Just asking.

So, what’s the one that the Queen wears -it looks specially created. Does it incorporate a reference to Commonwealth countries?

I personally prefer the Scottish ones, not out of any nationalistic reasons, purely ’cause the ones with the leaves fall apart faster.

If you’re in Scotland, you get a Scottish poppy, in England you get an English one; matters not since both support veterans in need.
There are few things I stand shoulder to shoulder with Tom on, but he is right on this, it is petty to mention a difference. Go find the servicemen collecting donations with their box of poppies, come rain, wind or shine (or the other day on Buchanan Street, all 3) and thank them for their service, and give generously!

Excellent piece, Tom. I had no idea there are 2 distinct types of poppy on sale in the UK, very interesting. I served on the RAF in the 80’s and remember the Scottish variety but I suppose I just thought they were later changed to the green leaf variety. It’s very disappointing to read some of the comments connected with the poppy, I’ve lost colleagues in service and it’s painful and quite hurtful that our own countrymen, some anyway, have such a negative view of the symbolism of it.

Best Regards
(epictrader – Twitter)

Two types of poppy, but unfortunately, only one kind of soldiers’ death.

The permanent kind.

Oh and by the way Tom. Wearing your Poppy before the first of November was frowned upon by much of the armed services as being improperly dressed.

Most sensible folk now take the view that reminding us all of our services Now obviates the Nov 1 type rule. (There were other similar ones)

Quite right too.

The Scots weather lass on BBC Breakfast wears a poppy which sparkles.

Well Tom?

Is this intended as a portent of a resumption of the Scots regiments I recall the Tories dispatching?

Until a few years ago, I genuinely thought the media had special poppies which they handed out to their guests. Then I discovered they were merely English poppies. Never knew it was a different charity though.

Couldn’t help but notice that Angus Robertson was not wearing a poppy on Newsnicht the other night. Instead he was wearing a tiepin of a saltire with a poppy emblazoned over the top. Where did he get that one from?

Saw a sad little report in today’s press that poppy sellers are under strict instructions not to rattle their tins because people find it menacing. The Legion, consequently, finds the donations way down as they can’t draw attention to themselves. I, for one, intend to keep my eyes peeled and make an extra large donation.

Wonder where the local authority was when I was recently accosted by a determined eco-loon in the town centre.

They fall apart, I’ve superglued my most recent one.

I suspect planned obsolescence.

this is the explanation given on the faqs page of poppy scotland and it makes sense to me nothing sinister about it at all [re helen wright ]

Why does the Scottish poppy not have a leaf?

Unlike the English poppy, the Scottish poppy has four petals and no leaf. Apart from being botanically incorrect, to put a leaf on each of our poppies would cost £15,000 each year, money we feel is better spent on supporting veterans and their dependants in Scotland.

could someone please tell me what the leaf on the British Legion poppy represents. Thank you