Since the First World War the Poppy has grown as a symbol of remembrance globally, and in 1921 the Royal British Legion bought 9 million silk poppies from Anna Guérin in time for Remembrance Day.
The Charity was founded in 1922 by Major George Howson MC, a British Army officer who was awarded the Military Cross in 1917. George Howson’s vision was to provide employment for veterans injured during the First World War.
Major Howson began with modest expectations. In May 1922, after receiving £2,000 from the British Legion to open a poppy-making factory, he wrote to his parents: “If the experiment is successful it will be the start of an industry to employ 150 men. I do not think it can be a great success, but it is worth trying.”
That modesty was misplaced. The Poppy Factory was an immediate success. By 1931, the factory was making nearly 30 million poppies a year. A community of 320 men, women and children lived on the estate in Richmond-upon-Thames, where veterans in our production team still produce Remembrance wreaths by hand today.
Today, The Poppy Factory still supports veterans with health conditions on their journey into employment, helping them overcome any barriers.
We were delighted to be able to produce this tour for the Poppy Factory to showcase the site, creating a record of the space and highlighting the work they produce every year.
Interested in a virtual tour? Get in touch
The Dollhouse view of the Factory.
Floor Plan View
