Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Edl The Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
No Man's Land poppy picked during WWI given new lease of life in war artist's diary
Topic Started: Nov 9 2009, 03:03 AM (22 Views)
Billposter
Member Avatar
Member
No Man's Land poppy picked during WWI given new lease of life in war artist's diary
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1226153/No-Mans-Land-poppy-picked-WWI-given-new-lease-life-war-artists-diary.html
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:09 AM on 09th November 2009

A poppy picked during World War I and preserved between the pages of a book has been given a new lease of life.

The flower, which was taken from the area known as 'No Man's land' in Flanders in 1915, appears on the front cover of the war diary of Private Len Smith.

Private Smith was a war artist whose drawings of the Germans' positions were used to make battle plans.
Posted Image
Remembrance poppy: The two flowers were pressed between the pages of a war diary

The two poppies he picked while drawing in the area of land between the enemy trenches still have some of their red colour.

Pte Smith, who was in the Seventh London Regiment, refers to the iconic flowers in his diary.

In one entry, written while he was stationed in the village of Vermelles, he said: 'There were not any great doings at this part of the line and Gerry's trenches were really a good way off - with much caution one could even peep over the top and it was lovely to see groups of red poppies among the infrequent patches of grass.
Posted ImagePosted Image
Private Len Smith Front cover of a book 'Drawing Fire'

Memories: Pte Len Smith, the war artist who picked the flowers in No Man's Land, Flanders, in 1915, and his war diary 'Drawing Fire'

'Considering the numerous shell holes, they were very numerous and made a very brave display - I know they thrilled me intently and a butterfly or two made a vast difference to the atmosphere.'

His diary Drawing Fire is published by HarperCollins.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · EDL Chat · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Feliz Navidad (Gold) created by Sarah & Delirium of the ZNR