In Flanders Fields etc...

Blissett

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.

It was with great delight and pleasure that papers such as the Belfast Telegraph reported that the Leader of the SDLP, Margaret Ritchie would wear a poppy on Remembrance day.
Now while this grates with me, I would like to begin by saying that in my personal opinion, the motivations behind her wearing them were understandable, and possibly even commendable.



















The importance of reconciliation and of sharing our respective histories will not be lost on republicans, including members of Ógra who have participated in a number of such ventures this year. It is incumbent on us all, be it Unionist or Republican, to reach out the hand of friendship, and to seek to learn more about the difference and similarities between us is of immense importance, both in terms of peace on this Island and in terms of our objectives of building a New Ireland in which all traditions are valued and respected.

But where the motivations may have been commendable, it is nonetheless a hopelessly misguided gesture, based on a basic misreading of the significance of the symbol at hand.

Perhaps it would be of value to examine briefly the history of the poppy as a symbol. The use of the poppy as the symbol for remembrance stems from the poem from WWI soldier and poet John McCrae, as reproduced above. In the period towards the close of the war the battlefields in Flanders were covered with red poppies, providing a suitable allegory to the horrific loss of life and blood spilt on those same fields. In 1921, on the 11th of November, Armistice day, the tradition of wearing poppies to commemorate the dead of World War I and to raise funds for Ex Servicemen and their dependents.

From this momentum grew behind it, and it became a popular way of commemorating right across Britain and further afield.

However, with the passage of time, it picked up further baggage. While in Ireland the focus is very much on WWI, the reality is that it hasn’t been about that particular war for quite some time. The British Legion have turned it in to a symbol which represents British War dead in all wars, including for better or worse, every misguided, barbarous and pointless colonial adventures you care to think of.

From Aden to Malaysia, and Iraq to Afghanistan, all are remembered equally. Indeed the poppy is as much for the British Troops who were there on Bloody Sunday or Ballymurphy as it is for Verdun. And this is not a point that the Legion will deny. It openly accepts that, as illustrated by this picture – this isn’t merely historical reflection.













British Legion Poppy appeal poster.

So unsurprisingly it has become a contentious symbol here in Ireland. Republicans in particular have taken particular issue with it on account of the conduct of British soldiers here in the most recent phase of conflict, and feel that because the servicemen active in that period are equally remembered, that it would amount to a commemoration of those men as much as the men of the first world war. British atrocities are regularly highlighted as the reason not to wear the poppy.

Now in my humble opinion, while this line of argument is not without merit, I do not think it is the crucial point. Is it fair to suggest that when people wear the poppy that it is with the intention of commemorating those particular instances, and those particular periods of conflict, that they wear it? By way of analogy, let us look at Easter. Every easter we remember the men who fought and died in Easter 1916, but we also reflect on the sacrifices of all volunteers across all generations who fought for Ireland. Now, this may be a controversial thing to say, but the fact is that only the blind would deny that unconscionable and indefensible actions were carried out by the IRA and in the name of the IRA during its lengthy history – none of which is to negate its immense contribution to our struggle. But is it the case, that when we commemorate at Easter or when we wear the lily, that we are remembering those involved in those actions, as equally as the men of 1916?

With both symbols, I would submit, that to wear it is merely a remembrance of those who made sacrifices for their respective countries, which I submit is a legitimate motivation, and which is why I believe it is a Horse of an entirely different colour when a British person wears a poppy, or when someone who self identifies as British (eg Unionists) wears a poppy. It is to their eyes of recognition of their dead, and of their countrymen.

If that be the case, then for what reason should we object to the poppy?

I put the question to you – World War I – Was it our fight? Was Aden our fight, and was Afghanistan our fight? Was it crucial to Irish interests to be involved in these conflicts? No. They weren’t our fight, they weren’t fought in our interests, and had we a choice as a nation I am willing to wager that we would have chosen not to be involved.

It’s worth stating at this point, indeed it ought to go without saying that many Irishmen and women fought in first World War in British Uniforms. Many of them fought gallantly, and heroically. And while it is not for us to second guess the motivations of those who fought at the time for their own reasons, I submit it is likely that many fought because of the decision of the direction of Nationalist politicians, and thought that what they were doing was for the good of their country. I very much believe that these men, deserve remembrance. Is the poppy a suitable way to do so?

I believe not. The poppy is not a universal symbol, and it represents only those who have died in British Service. As a republican, I believe in pride of place being given to our own patriots. This is done throughout the year in many different ways marking different patriots by many different people.

However I also believe that we should remember all Irishmen who died, for economic, social, political or religious reasons, in the service of foreign armies. But we should remember them equally. This is the crucial point.

Given our history of emigration it is a fact that countless Irishmen fought in the armies of an enormous variety of different armies right around the globe. From Germany and Austria to France and Italy, right across to Mexico, Chile and America. And just as in the service of the British, some servicemen distinguished themselves through courageous actions, and some shamed themselves through inhumanity. They are not superior, but crucially they are not inferior, to those who died in the British army.

Those who fought on the German side in Verdun, or who fought at Gettysburg, or at Cremona, are no less deserving of remembrance than the British servicemen. And indeed, we should not omit that often forgotten section – the non combatants – who are also worthy of remembrance. Yet the poppy is not for them.
This is the difficulty with the poppy. It is not a universal symbol, and does not remember equally. It places British Servicemen on a pedestal. Which is one thing in Britain, and though I am dubious of the ubiquity of it, they are entitled to honour their servicemen who fought and died for Britain. The reasons why we should join in with this fawning over the British Military, I must say, has always escaped me.

Every summer, on the Sunday nearest July 11th, there is a National Day of commemoration, which remembers all Irish people who died in war. While this occasion is not perfect, it is a tasteful recognition of all deaths, be they combatant or innocent, and in the service of Irish Armies or foreign. This event, or something like it, should be our alternative to the poppy.
Wearing the poppy effectively undermines such commemorations.
















Mary McAleese at National Day of Commemoration

Margaret Ritchie recently spoke at the McCluskey summer school of a new progressive nationalism. The sentiments I applaud, even if the speech looked a bit ropey. But wearing the poppy is far from an example of progressive nationalism. In fact, it is the opposite, it is regressive and it is exclusive. It is exclusive of non combatants, and of soldiers who fought for other foreign armies, and in particular those who fought in armies opposed to Britain during various wars. It is in reality a meek acceptance of the line that suggests their wars were ours and that we should seek to cleave to their traditions, and take their lead.

In which case one wonders what point is there in seeking a United Ireland at all, or indeed any form of independence? I once again will suggest that the poppy was likely worn with the best of intentions. But reconciliation isnt about trumpeting anothers cause as your equivalent to your own, it is about understanding and listening and agreeing to move forward on what common ground we have. We can do that without the poppy.



















PS in Cork, poppys look like this. A far superior form of poppy.