Devizes Quakers and members of other Devizes Churches, numbering 15 in all, attended a ceremony at 10am on November 11 to lay a wreath of white poppies at the war memorial. This was done out of respect for the fallen soldiers and the many others maimed, wounded, and traumatised by the world wars. The Quakers sought the permission of the British Legion and the town council, who gave their assent.

As they stood in light rain, Friends silently reflected on the suffering of all who have died and been damaged by war. One spoke to tell us that whenever he passes a war memorial he remembers their sacrifice and is spurred on to greater efforts to work for peace. Another spoke of the children and the future we must build for them.

The white poppy is often misunderstood, so I would like to give a brief explanation here. It was launched in 1933, a few years after the red poppy, by the Co-operative Women’s Guild. The white poppy was never intended as an insult to those who died in the First World War, quite the contrary.

These were wives, daughters, sisters and cousins of soldiers killed and wounded, who were challenging society to prevent the need for this kind of sacrifice again – to find other ways to resolve conflict and an end to all war. Many people wear both the white and the red poppy. Proceeds from the white poppy go towards peace education.

Robin Brookes, Devizes Quaker Meeting.