CERAMIC poppies made by a former University of Derby student will be "planted" by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Tower of London today as the commemoration events marking the start of the First World War continue.
The Blood Swept Lands And Seas of Red exhibition, by artist Paul Cummins, involves 888,246 ceramic poppies planted in the dry moat at the Tower and the installation was officially unveiled this morning at 8am.
A poppy has been made for each British and Colonial death during the First World War. The first ceramic poppy was planted last month, with the final one due to be installed on November 11 – Armistice Day.
Mr Cummins said he was inspired by a line from the will of a Derbyshire serviceman who died in Flanders.
In the will the soldier describes "the blood swept lands and seas of red, where angels fear to tread".
Each poppy, many of which were made in Derby by current and former Derby students will be sold to raise funds for several armed forces charities
It was also used as a military depot, ceremonial setting-off point for regiments who had been stationed there and the execution location for 11 German spies.
Numerous commemoration events have been taking place across the country over the weekend and yesterday – the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War. These also included a Lights Out initiative which led to candlelit vigils from 10pm to 11pm on Monday night including in Derby's Market Place.
