More than 1,000 veterans and Service Personnel gathered in the grounds of Westminster Abbey for the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey yesterday morning.
Her Majesty The Queen Consort was greeted by The Dean of Westminster Abbey, The Very Reverend David Hoyle, and took part in a service and the two-minute silence to remember members of the armed forces who have lost their lives, as Big Ben tolled to mark 11am.
70,000 crosses were carefully positioned in neatly trimmed grass by volunteers in 308 plots according to regiment, unit, or association. In 1928, Major George Howson MC suggested using land outside Westminster Abbey as a place where anyone could plant a poppy in memory of a loved one.
This established a Remembrance Tradition which has continued for 94 years. Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis, Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey and Lieutenant General James Bashall escorted Her Majesty as She reviewed the plots and met veterans.