Brothers take knitted poppy from Sevenoaks to France and place it on their uncle’s grave

HUNDREDS of beautifully knitted poppies, made by members of the public, have been on display on the railings around The Vine Gardens in Sevenoaks for several weeks as part of the 100 year Commemorations for WW1.

One of these poppies has now crossed The Channel to France with Sevenoaks resident Adrian Cheeseman and his brother Alan. They took the poppy to Poperinghe and placed it on the grave of their uncle, Private William Robert Steven.

Adrian said: “My family and I visited our uncle Will’s grave in July, just over 100 years since he was killed.

“He joined up at Gravesend recruiting office in November 1915 and arrived in France in April 1917 after training, joining the Royal East Kent regiment (The Buffs).

“He was hospitalised twice, in September 1917, and again in May 1918 suffering from the effects of gas.

“He was killed in action on the 4 July 1918 near Ypres and was buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinghe, which is beautifully cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.”

The idea for the poppies around The Vine came after Sevenoaks Town Council joined the national Ribbon of Poppies Campaign for 2018. For more information about how you can get involved in the local Commemorations for WW1 contact the Town Council on 01732 459953.