The Richmond Purple Poppies, a special exhibition commemorating the role animals and birds have played in war, is touring military museums across the south of the UK.

The Donkey Breed Society was originally gifted the crocheted poppies by a group of makers from Richmond. Purple poppies are a symbol of remembrance for animals that served during wartime. The crocheted poppies were later combined with additional artefacts to create the exhibition.

The exhibition is currently on display at the Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum in Salisbury.

“We are delighted to be working with The Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum – it is a fascinating and extremely informative venue and provides an amazing environment in which to display our various crafts and artefacts. We are honoured to bring the tour to the South of England,” said Sarah Booth from The Donkey Breed Society.

More tributes on display

As well as viewing the poppies, visitors will also be able to see a quilt which has been made by members and friends of The Society’s Northern Region and a horse’s head of recycled purple poppies created by Design and Technology students from Burnham Grammar School in Slough.

“It is a pleasure to share The Richmond Purple Poppies and the sentiments they represent with our visitors,” said Rifles Berkshire & Wiltshire Museum curator Bethany Joyce.

“The poppies look splendid against our recently refurbished entrance hall and can also be seen from the garden.

In the autumn, the exhibition will travel to Warwick for a second visit to The Museum of The Queen’s Royal Hussars before moving to The Royal Welsh Regimental Museum in Brecon next spring.

Image © The Wardrobe, Salisbury.

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