In Flanders Fields

The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas leads Royal Navy personnel in a tribute to remember the fallen. 

Serving personnel, a Falklands veteran and a sea cadet speak the powerful words of Major John McCrae's famous poem "In Flanders Fields". The poem was written in 1915, and it is believed that the death of his friend was the inspiration for the poem.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

by John McCrae, May 1915