Tower of London Remembers with Poppy Installation

Be prepared for your mind to be blown if visiting the Tower of London over the next few months, as the site is awash with thousands of poppies in commemoration of the First World War.

The installation, titled Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, marks the war’s 100 year anniversary and was created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins with stage designer Tom Piper.

It will be unveiled tomorrow (Tuesday 5 August 2014), exactly 100 years since the first full day of Britain’s involvement in the war.

Thousands of poppies line the landmark’s dry moat and more will be added throughout the summer until it is filled with an amazing 888,246 ceramic poppies, each poppy representing a British or Colonial military fatality during the war.

Each ceramic poppy will be available to buy for £25 and 10 per cent from each flower, plus all net proceeds, will be shared equally among six service charities – Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO), Combat Stress, Coming Home, Help for Heroes, Royal British Legion and SSAFA.

Every day, at twilight, the names of 180 serving military killed during the war will be read out in a Roll of Honour. This will be followed by the Last Post bugle call played by a single bugler. Members of the public can nominate a name for the roll of honour using a weekly nomination system.

The installation will remain in place until 11 November 2014. 

Images: Historic Royal Palaces