November's reflection from the Moderator

November's Reflection from the Moderator

It used to be that everyone wore the same simple poppy for Remembrance, made in Lady Haig's Poppy Factory in Edinburgh. Today, we see a wide variety—brooches, pins, knitted, and sewn poppies. Communities come together to create poppy installations, inspired by events like the sea of poppies around the Tower of London in 2014.

This blend of individual expression and collective remembrance highlights how we all remember in personal ways while honoring the shared loss experienced by communities.

Speech at the National War Memorial

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of speaking at the annual service held at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle. The memorial, built after the First World War, is a powerful reminder that it was a war affecting everyone.

"The books of names beneath the regimental memorials represent not just lives sacrificed but parents who lost a child, brothers and sisters who lost a sibling, husbands, wives and sweethearts who lost partners and futures together, children who lost parents, and friends who were never reunited."

"It's bigger – it's communities and workplaces missing a generation. The names recorded are just the tip of the iceberg."

This memorial emphasizes the profound and wide-reaching impact of war on families and communities alike.

Author's Summary

The diverse ways we wear and display poppies today reflect both personal remembrance and collective grief, acknowledging the immense losses suffered by communities during wartime.

The Church of Scotland — 2025-11-05