War Memorial to display 90-year-old poppy wreath for first time in decades
The Duke of Gloucester's scarlet poppy wreath from 1934 will be laid again at the War Memorial on 11 November.
Two precious pieces of history will be shown to the public for the first time in decades on Remembrance Day, 11 November. The first is a scarlet poppy wreath laid by the Duke of Gloucester at the War Memorial's construction site in 1934, between the two world wars.
The wreath has been kept frozen and treated with chemicals for nine decades to protect it from moths and decay. Governor-General Sam Mostyn will lay the wreath again during the national ceremony.
The second is a cloth poppy given out at the Memorial's opening in 1941. It belonged to First World War veteran Stanley Mason.
About 110 poppies were given away that day, but this is the only one ever found and kept. Senior curator Shane Casey said the wreath is the oldest of its kind at the Memorial.
"At a time when it appears war is everywhere you look, it is so important to remember the sacrifices people made to defend our nation."
- 90 years
- Wreath age
- Duke of Gloucester
- Laid by
- 1934
- Year placed
- Stanley Mason
- Poppy veteran
Why it mattersThese items connect modern Australians to nearly a century of remembrance and the sacrifices that shaped the nation.
AustraliaOn Remembrance Day, Australians will witness historic items rarely seen in public, deepening the connection between past sacrifice and present memory.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au
