Beautifully crafted purple poppies, gifted to the Northern Region of the Donkey Breed Society, have gone on display at The REME Museum in Lyneham, Wiltshire, as a tribute to the sacrifice of animals in war.
On show from 1 July – 7 September, the REME Museum invites visitors to see the display in their Remembrance Gallery, a fitting location to reflect upon the sacrifices of humans and animals, side-by-side, in wartime and peacetime operations. As well as the eye-catching purple poppies, the display includes objects and artefacts highlighting the roles of animals in military operations since the First World War. It will also include contributions from the museum’s collection, telling the story of how animals have played a role in the lives of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) soldiers.
‘The Purple Richmond Poppies’ is a cascade of poppies carefully crafted by a group of makers from Richmond, North Yorkshire, in recognition of the sacrifices made by animals killed in conflicts. The poppies adorn camouflage netting kindly donated by Catterick Garrison.
Originally displayed in J&H Meynells Garden Supplies and Pet Shop during the First World War centenary commemorations of 2018, this beautiful display was later gifted to the Northern Region of the Donkey Breed Society, and is currently on a tour of military museums. The tour, that began in 2024, has been to York Army Museum, the Cumbrian Museum of Military Life, the Cheshire Military Museum and most recently, the Green Howards Museum in Richmond.
Sarah Booth from the Northern Region of the Donkey Breed Society said: “We are delighted to be touring The Poppies in the southern part of the country, bringing the message of remembering the vital roles played by animals in war, and our ethos of commemoration through crafting, to an even wider audience.” Further supporting the display, there will be donkeys at The Museum on Sunday 13th July and on August Bank Holiday Monday, 25th August. Visitors will be able to meet and stroke these gentle animals and discover the incredible role donkeys have played in military history.
For families, there will be purple poppy and donkey related crafts in the museum’s ‘Creation Station’ crafts area, which will be open throughout the School Summer Holidays (29 July – 29 August).
The display is available for viewing from Tuesday 1 July – Sunday 7 September. Entry to the display is included with admission to the museum.
The REME Museum, Lyneham, is open Tuesday to Sunday 10.00am – 4.30pm, with last entry at 3.00pm. Head to www.rememuseum.org.uk for further information on exhibitions, events and family activities.
Picture: © Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary, reproduced with permission.
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