Rememberance Day was huge for me growing up. Many of my family have been in the military and I was due to join the RAF until I became poorly at the age of 17 and I lost all of my drive for it. As well as not being able to meet the medical requirements.

I was in the ATC for 8 years and became a Sergeant. Part of my responsibility was to be the flag bearer for the rememberance parade. The emotions that came with it are something that will stick in my head for a long time.

This year it is was hard to see the diminished parade. It was sad to see the lack of people standing on their doorsteps for the 2 minutes silence.

We should never forget those who have given their lives for our freedom. I will be teaching Belle about what sacrifices were made by so many and how many to this day give their lives to ensure our safety and freedom.

I have been asked by many over the last few days…. What is the importance of poppy day. The poppy is the flower that lined the battlefields at the end of the first world War. In 1918, in the eleventh month, on the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour the fighting stopped and the hostilities ended. The poppies and the silence are to rememeber everyone that has fallen.

There are variations to the red poppy too. There is the Purple poppy which recognises the animals that gave their lives. The black poppy recognises the African, black and Caribbean contribution. There is also the white poppy which recognises all victims whether they fought or not and symbolises peace.

We will wear out poppys with pride. And I will explain to Belle the importance of her middle name. Its not only because she was once the size of a poppy. We shall remember them.