Commemorations

These artificial poppies are part of a project in this area (the north-western communities of the Isle of Lewis, Scotland) to commemorate the losses of the first world war. It has been organised by the local history society, Commun Eachdraidh Nis. Each poppy represents a soldier lost from that household. As you can see, from this household in South Dell, three people were lost. with another person from the adjacent household. From this small village alone, 27 people were killed in the fighting - a tragic loss for any small community. It is really simple and very powerful driving along the village road today, and it really illustrates well the huge emotional impact that war had. The village where I stay has no poppies, because this is a land-raid village that had been cleared in the late 19th century and re-settled after the war due to the active pressure (and civil disobedience) of returning war veterans. A very fitting and understated memorial.