An estimated 25,000 of the handcrafted flowers form the message ‘They fell with their faces to the foe, lest we forget 1918-2018’ – taken from Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen.
It took contractor DCB 14 hours to place the poppies on the side of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s headquarters on Civic Way.
Thousands of knitters from all over the country contributed to the appeal – with a presentation of the display on Thursday [October 25] being the culmination of a two year project.
It is thought to be the largest display of its kind in the South East.
The poppies shall remain on the wall for two weeks after Remembrance Sunday, which this year falls on November 11.
At the presentation, Mayor Len Horwood thanked the Borough Council, Royal British Legion and Tunbridge Wells Gateway for their work in constructing the tribute.
He said: “Thank you to all of the volunteers who made the poppies. It is a wonderful display and something we should be proud of.”
Poppies were also on the side of the Town Hall last year, but this display is said to be three and a half times larger. There is a smaller display inside the shop-window of Tunbridge Wells Gateway.
Richard Cast, Chairman of Kent County Royal British Legion, said: “We are extremely grateful. It is a lovely image and something that really means remembrance.”
The Town Hall display overlooks Tunbridge Wells War Memorial, which shall be the centre point of a service and procession on Remembrance Sunday.
It is thought 1,764 servicemen from Tunbridge Wells borough died in action during the First World War, which was fought from July 1914 to November 1918.
