20 Feb 2015

World War One poppy project takes off

From Nine To Noon, 9:22 am on 20 February 2015
Handcrafted poppies in memory of Lieutenant Edward Kibblewhite.

Handcrafted poppies in memory of Lieutenant Edward Kibblewhite.

Photo: Supplied.

The first panel of poppies in tribute to the fallen servicemen and women of World War One.

The first panel of poppies in tribute to the fallen servicemen and women of World War One.

Photo: Supplied.

A call from the National Army Museum for hand crafted poppies to honor service men and women who died in the Great War has been met with an overwhelming response.

The museum launched "A patriotic call to Yarn" in October 2014, with the aim of gathering one hand crafted poppy for each of the 18,166 service men and women who died in World War 1, by 2018.

The museum's poppy project coordinator, Alison Jones, says that number has already been exceeded as they've been inundated with knitted, crocheted and sewn poppies from around the country and around the world.

She tells Kathryn Ryan that packages continue to flow in each day, often accompanied with letters or dedications to loved ones who died in the war.

Trish Williams letter crop