Poppies made from shell casings commemorate 100th anniversary of Somme battle
Melanie May | 1 July 2016 | News
The Royal British Legion has produced a limited edition gold poppy pin to mark today’s (1st July) 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, and raise funds for the charity.
Created by TMB Art Metal, the poppies have been made from brass taken from British shell fuses fired during the Battle of the Somme and collected from the historic front line. The red enamel in the centre of each poppy has been made from a small amount of finely ground earth that was collected from Gommecourt, Hebuterne, Serre, Beaumont Hamel, Thiepval, Ovillers, La Boisselle, Fricourt and Mametz, and red enamel mixed together to create the colour red.
19,240 pins have so far been produced as a tribute to the 19,240 lives lost on 1st July 1916. These have already sold out, raising thousands for the charity, with more being made. Each pin comes with a certificate featuring details of the individual soldier it commemorates, and costs £39.99 from the charity’s Poppy Shop. All proceeds go to support the charity’s work in providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces and their families.
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Christopher Bennett, founder of TMB Art Metal, said:
“It is truly humbling to hold a piece of profound history in the form of a shell fuse found on the Somme. This poppy honours the fallen of our World Wars and allows you to wear and carry a piece of history with you at all times.”
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About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.