5/30/2023 0 Comments Remembrance poppy images![]() The legacy of McCrae’s life was focused on making a difference. John McCrae, who grew up in the city and penned the poem "In Flanders Fields." (Nov. Poppies left at Guelph's Remembrance Day ceremony in honour of Lt.-Col. “We talk about John McCrae everywhere we go,” said attendee Jeannette Forrest. They said just like the men and women who died for Canada, John McCrae will never be forgotten. Some of those who attended the ceremony at the Guelph Cenotaph left poppies at the base of the memorial. “It’s so deeply entrenched in Guelph that it’s part of the fabric,” Kubinec said. He served with the Canadian Forces for more than 20 years. ![]() “ pay tribute to those who have given us the opportunity to have freedom,” said Lt. Students from John McCrae Public School also recited the poem that inspired an entire country to wear a poppy every November. “‘In Flanders Fields’ certainly sums up what we all feel in terms of remembrance,” said David Thompson, the first vice-president of the legion. The Royal Legion Branch 234 held another service at the McCrae House Memorial Garden, outside the home where McCrae was born and is now a national historic site. McCrae’s poem was turned into a song for Friday’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Sleeman Centre. The poem also helped inspire the adoption of the poppy, which is now seen as a symbol of Remembrance Day. “Through letters to his mother we know he was aware that his words had impact, and he was quite pleased,” said Adkin. However he did know people connected with his poem. McCrae didn’t live to see the end of First World War having died of pneumonia in January 1918. The poem was then used as both a recruitment tool and to sell victory loan bonds. “It was published in December 1915 in Punch magazine as kind of a filler piece, on the back page lower corner,” said Adkin. The words – ‘In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow/Between the crosses, row on row…’ – could have easily gone unnoticed. John McCrae is shown in this undated image. “It was written as a call to action,” explained Adkin. McCrae wrote ‘In Flanders Fields’ during the second battle of Ypres, where he was serving as a doctor on the front lines.Īfter helping bury a friend, he penned his famous poem. (National Archives of Canada) ‘IN FLANDERS FIELDS’ He was among the first wave of Canadians to sign up for battle after Britain declared war on Germany. McCrae was also a man of faith and service. “He actually was one of the best trained doctors of his time, as a pathologist,” said Adkin. McCrae later embarked on a career in medicine. “He lived an incredible life, he was an incredible man,” said Tammy Adkin, the manager of museums and culture for the City of Guelph. McCrae was born on Novemin a small house in the suburbs of the city. The doctor and soldier penned the famous poem which has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Remembrance Day. John McCrae, who wrote ‘In Flanders Fields’, was born 150 years ago in Guelph. The City of Guelph marked a significant milestone on Remembrance Day.
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