Wearing a white poppy

Gonegirl In WW1 most men volunteered. Conscription was not introduced until 1916.
there was a sudden surge in recruiting in late August and early September 1914. In all, 478,893 men joined the army between 4 August and 12 September, including 33,204 on 3 September alone – the highest daily total of the war and more than the average annual intake in the years immediately before 1914. Apart from a bedrock of patriotism and a widespread collective sense of duty to King and Empire, two factors, in particular, helped to generate this boom in enlistment. One was the formation on 31 August of the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee (PRC), which placed at the disposal of the War Office the entire network of local party political organisations. The assistance which the PRC provided included the issue of a series of memorable recruiting posters designed by leading graphic artists of the day. Another key factor in stimulating enlistment was the granting of permission to committees of municipal officials, industrialists and other dignitaries, especially in northern England, to organise locally-raised ‘Pals’ battalions, which men from the same community or workplace were encouraged to join on the understanding that they would train and, eventually, fight together.
The PALs regiments notoriously ensured the complete wipe out of men in some villages.

My son was in the Scouts, not the army cadets...but went on to join the army at 16.

Yeah, because the poor sods didn't know what they were letting themselves in for. Just keeping up with their mates. Nothing to do with how sweet it is to die for one's country.

And avoiding the white feathers.

Gonegirl Why do you suppose then Wilfred Owen asks that children shouldn't be taught Dulce etc? If it hadn't been something he had personally experienced? He was educated in an ordinary school so if he learned it there, others did as well

In WW2 I think having brothers in the same unit was discouraged. People serving together still made close bonds, even when they didn't join up together in a pals regiment.

It was *Elegran because of the devastation the PALs regiments caused. Although if they wanted to an older brother could "claim" the younger one.

WW1 should have been the war to end all wars. We all are very clear on that. It wasn't.
To use WW1 as the drum to encourage pacifism is one thing , the Peace Union, Quakers and so on had huge support after WW1 and quite right to.
I remain eternally grateful to the brave men and women who took up arms to fight facism and Hitler in WW2. No amount of quoting Wilfred Owen demolishes the need to liberate those camps

It was claimed to be "virtue signalling" - in effect to label people as insincere, holier than thou show-offs - for someone to dare express an opinion which is different from the mainstream view.

Most people have had relatives who fought in the two world wars, and those who feel differently about the style and content of these commemorations are equally sad about the people who have died in wars. To imply otherwise is insulting.

Commemorating the lives lost to war should not be about ostentatious public displays of grief, who wore the most "tasteful" attire, who performed the wreath-laying with the greatest finesse, etc, etc. In my view, it should be an opportunity to reflect, without pomp and ceremony, on the horrors of wars - and a real desire to reject the industries that profit from them.

Neither should a variety of war-themed events be used as a marketing opportunity for the arms industry, companies selling war-related memorabilia and elaborately crafted poppies to be worn as fashion accessories.

Among the commemorative events in 2020 is The War and Peace Show. This is an example of how the tragedy of war has been re-packaged as "entertainment", the horrors of war having been completely erased - as its promotional blurb demonstrates:

"A five-day military and vintage festival at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent, will be packed full of education and entertainment bringing the Dunkirk Spirit to this historic corner of Kent.

"Visitors to The War and Peace Revival will be able to catch up with friends while watching the incredible action-packed battle re-enactments – not just a group of people running around playing soldiers but a full-scale choreographed battle to give you a taste of the action at the Front! Get right up close to the action, but through a safe and vehicle-free zone. Thousands of military vehicles are expected to gather at the new venue from around the world representing the armies of the 20th century. Look out for tanks, artillery, armoured and amphibious vehicles, cars, Jeeps, bicycles and motorbikes, emergency and commercial vehicles – and lots more. Living History scenes will provide a unique picture of life in conflict with depictions from WW1 to the present – see the British living in trenches, GIs in Vietnam, Russians relaxing with an accordion after a hard day in battle, or Germans plotting their next moves! At all times our re-enactors will adhere to a strict moral code in their displays.

"Trade stalls will give collectors and shoppers the opportunity to browse through marquees packed full of treasures including militaria, antiquities, vehicle parts, books, memorabilia, clothing and uniforms and all manner of essential finds for the discerning enthusiast – everything from a shirt button to a tank! For the modellers, an extensive display of some top class models will be on display, bringing enthusiasts from around the world – and the craftsmen are always willing to share their knowledge and experience. For modellers, The War and Peace Revival is a unique opportunity to see the full-sized versions of their models just by walking outside!

"For those who want a little more glamour in their lives and perhaps a welcome break from the ‘sea of green’, both people and vehicles, (ladies!), then head for the Vintage Village by the Victory Marquee (previously the V Marquee). Here you’ll find an exciting focus to the ‘Peace’ element of the Show’s title. You can happily leave the boys with their toys, and shop ’till you drop for that complete look in our dedicated vintage market place. Once you have found your perfect outfit for the evening you can also book to have a vintage hairstyle to match from one of the hairdressers in the area so you will look and feel like a million dollars! Not forgetting you chaps, there is also a 1940’s barber here too. The Vintage Village also hosts top-class dealers in vintage home ware and civilian memorabilia from around the world. After all that shopping, head to the Victory Marquee for free day-time vintage-themed entertainment, mainly from the 1940’s and 1950’s, which you can enjoy with a meal or a cream tea. You can even learn how to Jive from the simple lessons offered by professional dancers to get you in the mood for the big night ahead… will it be cocktails in the Gentleman’s Marquee first before returning to the Victory Marquee for a romantic dinner dance to a full Swing Big Band ...."

War is not a game, and guns, bombs, bayonets and tanks are not "toys". What sort of message do these types of commemorative events - and I include fly-pasts - give to children and young people who attend? That war is exciting and fun.

How insulting to the many soldiers and civilians who died in WWII to speak about the "Dunkirk Spirit" and "a taste of the action at the Front!" (note the exclamation mark) in such a flippant way. Guns, bombs, bayonets and tanks are not "boys' toys" - they rip apart the bodies and minds of soldiers' and families' lives - and Dunkirk was not a jolly jape.

Among the many listed "exhibitors" of war memorabilia and equipment is RBL Poppy which presumably finds it appropriate to participate in this "show", in the same way that they found it appropriate to accept sponsorship from the arms industry.

People have the right to buy and wear a red poppy but those who choose not to have the right to do so without having their characters impugned.

I also believe the the right not to wear a poppy should be extended to anyone holding public office or appearing on television.

Eleothan that is truly horrifying.

Throughout the poem, and particularly strong in the last stanza, there is a running commentary, a letter to Jessie Pope, a civilian propagandist of World War I, who encouraged—"with such high zest"—young men to join the battle, through her poetry, e.g. "Who's for the game?

He was thinking of future generations. He would not have been taught stuff like that at a tech college.

I'm not talking about Wilfred Owen anymore. It's too sad. He so nearly survived the war.

I think some people are unaware that many tech colleges were just a way of accessing secondary education for children from poor background. They taught art and all sorts of subjects. Wilfred Owen also mixed with men who had been privately schooled in particular Siegfried Sassoon who was a great influence and whose hand written comments are on Anthem for Doomed Youth. Implying that simply one influence was responsible for Dulce is just plain misleading. If he wasn't taught patriotism at school (and I think it was part of the culture in 1900s) he certainly knew those who were.

Yeah yeah. We've all done our googling Trisher.

I was surprised to see that Wilfred Owen lived and worked for a while, a mile down the road from us!

Actually Gonegirl my interest in Sassoon and Owen was triggered long ago and re-inforced by Pat Barker's excellent Regeneration trilogy dealing with Sassoon and his hospitalisation. If you haven't read them I recommend the books.

I haven't read that one Trisher. I read The Life Class Trilogy (Pat Barker) recently and that was very good. I will download the Regeneration trilogy for future reading. Thank you.