The poppy has always been associated with Remembrance but in my mind it is fundamentally military. Indeed the organisation that promotes the poppy and received funding from its sale is a military charity, The Royal British Legion. My personal opinion, when remembering fallen police officers then, the tribute should be something other than a poppy wreath. With St Michael being the patron saint of police officers the Michaelmas Daisy seems the obvious alternative. I have tried to promote my views to various organisations but with little success.
With some help from a dear friend, Sandra Gostling we decided to make our own. Sandra is the daughter of the late Bill Dean, a former constable of the Norfolk Constabulary, so sharing my views she was only too willing to participate.
Pictured is Sandra and I placing our “Police Remembrance” tribute at the police memorial situated at the National Memorial Arboretum.
I’m sure others share our view and I hope that one day it will be the norm.
Bill Butcher
7 Region, Thames Valley Branch
