Care home residents create artwork from poppies to mark Armistice Day

Care home residents have created a stunning poppy art installation crafted with more than 100 poppies for Remembrance Day.

Residents at Care UK’s Smyth Lodge, in Frognal Avenue, Sidcup, marked Armistice Day by creating a sculpture of individually designed poppies in memory of their friends and family who have served in the armed forces.

Jim Farmer, aged 93 and a resident at Smyth Lodge, shared his memories of being evacuated from London to Tunbridge Wells in 1940.

He joined his school’s air training corps and attended a camp at Biggin Hill RAF Station, where he flew an aircraft for the first time.

Leaving school in 1943, Jim joined the army and was accepted into the Intelligence Corps.

After completing his training, he was posted to India in 1946 and Austria in 1947. Upon his return, Jim became a civil servant, while also serving in the Territorial Army.

Another resident at the Smyth Lodge, Linda Marshall, also aged 93, also served in the war as a sergeant in the sergeants’ mess.

She signed up to the Auxiliary Territorial Service so she could follow in the footsteps of her father, who was also in the army, and served her country for three years.

Roda Williams, home manager at Smyth Lodge, said: “We wanted to do something special to mark this year’s Armistice Day and to remember those who have served in the armed forces, including some of the residents, and their friends and family.

“Creating poppies was a wonderful way for residents to take part in the Remembrance Day activities – and it was fantastic to hear the memories of residents growing up in wartime Britain and serving their country.

“We’re thrilled with the result of their hard work, and it’s great to see the sculpture displayed in the home for everyone to see.”

Pictured top: Linda Marshall, resident at Care UK’s Smyth Lodge, helped create a poppy sculpture to remember Armistice Day