Ascot unveiling.
After four years of hard work and planning this is the moment that Poppy, our War Horse was unveiled for the first time to the general public.
Brownie Jess Edwards and Guides Nisha Watson, Katherine Warner and Annice Anderson were chosen to pull off Poppy’s giant purple mantle to reveal her majesty and magnificence – flanked by Chelsea pensioners splendid in their scarlet coats, trumpeters from the Household Cavalry Band and flag bearers from the Royal Artillery and Life Guards. Watching on were hundreds of well wishers and families of old soldiers who fought in the Great War and who gave precious artefacts which have been buried at the feet of the national monument.
Poppy unveiled.
Afterwards, the Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mr James Puxley laid a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, and others were placed at the base of the memorial by many organisations and individuals, including representatives from America, Australia, Canada, France and New Zealand and the Royal British Legion. The final wreath – of purple poppies – was laid by co-Founders of the War Horse Memorial, Alan Carr and Susan Osborne, to signify the intention to use these flowers to raise monies for chosen equine and military charities. Poppy will stand for all time as a reminder of the service and sacrifice millions of horses, mules and donkeys made in the First World War to help secure the freedom and democracy we all enjoy today.
View full photo gallery of the unveiling here …
View ITV News report below …
Sculpture honours millions of animals killed in WWI
A memorial honouring the millions of horses, mules and donkeys who served for Allied forces during the First World War has been unveiled https://bit.ly/2JvUCAl
Posted by ITV News on Friday, 8 June 2018
Online Daily Express coverage here …
