Which side should I wear my poppy on for Remembrance Day?
EVERY year during the Remembrance period members of the public buy and wear poppies on their clothes to honour and raise money for veterans.
The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion's biggest fundraising campaign but, despite the tradition running for over 100 years, some still question if there is a certain side they should wear their poppy on.
Which side should I wear my poppy on?
Poppies are traditionally worn during the Remembrance period, which runs from the last Friday in October to the end of the day on November 11.
There are various theories about the "right" way to wear a poppy, with many saying they should be worn on the left hand side, to be close to your heart.
This also links to the symbol's military origins, as this is the side medals are worn on by the Armed forces.
Another school of thought is that the poppy should be worn on the left by men and the right by women, as is traditional for a badge or brooch.
The truth, however, is that there is no "correct" way to wear a poppy and it is simply down to individual choice.
The only exception to this would be if you are currently serving, in which case it would be worn on the left.
Another aspect of the poppy that has been debated is the positioning of the flower's leaf.
One theory dictates that it should be at 11 o'clock, representing the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – the formal end of the First World War in 1918.
The Royal British Legion has said, however, that there is no right or wrong way to position the poppy, saying: "The best way to wear one is with pride".
Most Read in News
When did the poppy tradition start?
The poppy tradition dates back over a century and can be traced back to 1915 when Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae lost his friend Lieutenant Alexis Helmer at Ypres, one of the First World War's most famous and bloody battles.
He spotted countless poppies growing in the battle-torn fields as he grieved his fallen comrade.
Upon seeing the poignant sight he wrote In Flanders Fields – one of the most famous war poems of all time.
Then, when the First World War ended in 1918, the poppy was adopted as a symbol of Remembrance.
This was due to the popularity of McCrae's poem and the efforts of Anna Guérin, who was also simultaneously promoting the idea of the poppy as the symbol of Remembrance.
Guérin lived in Britain with her two daughters but when the First World War broke out, she moved to the United States where she immediately began fundraising for those made destitute by war.
By the end of 1920 she was responsible for Poppy Days in several US states and in 1921 she arrived in Liverpool to share her idea.
The Royal British Legion formed in 1921, and ordered nine million silk versions of the flowers, which were sold on November 11 that year.
That first ever Poppy Appeal raised £106,000 and marked the third anniversary of Armistice Day.
Why are there different poppies in England and Scotland?
Poppies in England have just two petals and a green leaf, whereas those distributed by the charity PoppyScotland have four petals and no leaf.
Explaining why there is no leaf on the Scottish poppy, PoppyScotland said: "Apart from being botanically incorrect it would cost £15,000 to make leaves for all poppies – money we feel is better spent on veterans.
"We might be slightly biased but we think the Scottish poppy looks nicer too".
PoppyScotland merged with the Royal British Legion in 2011, but the cash it raises is spent supporting Scottish veterans.
The difference in the style of poppy in England and Scotland proved a source of controversy back in 2016 when Sainsbury's was found to be selling English versions north of the border.
How much should my poppy donation be?
The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal raises money to help support serving and ex serving members of the armed forces and their families.
Every little helps, and all contributions are welcome.
The British Legion has released a guide giving suggested donations for the different types of poppies on offer, though they have requested that people only give as much as they want, or can afford.
- Poppy - £2.00
- Poppy Friendship Bracelet - £7.99
- Red Enamel Poppy Lapel Pin - £4.99
- Car Poppy - £5.49
- Lorry Poppy - £9.99
- Poppy Reflector - £2.99
- Pack of three Wrist Bands - £4.99
- Wooden Crosses - £2.99
You can also donate online at the , by phone, by text or by post.