Heroes past and presented united in poppy appeal

A new Royal British Legion campaign will use powerful images to reinforce the importance of remembering victims of past conflicts while supporting today’s services. It positions photographs

of modern day Legion beneficiaries beside their counterparts from the First World War, highlighting the sacrifices made in the past that continue to be made today. The vivid portraits were

taken by Tom Reeves, the great-grandson of Benjamin Reeves, who took the original photographs a century ago before servicemen headed for the Western Front. Incredibly, Tom used the very same

camera in the same studio in Lewes, East Sussex, to capture the images for the new campaign. Benjamin Reeves photographed hundreds of soldiers who served in the First World War. The glass

negatives of many of these portraits have remained unseen until this year. Pictured are Able Seaman Towner, just days before he headed off to fight, and weapons engineer Chief Petty Officer

Peter Edge. Peter, 46, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013, and received support from the Legion. Following chemotherapy he was given the all-clear and still serves with the Royal

Navy. Charles Byrne, director of fundraising, said: “This year’s Poppy Appeal campaign provides us with a poignant reminder that the poppy is a powerful symbol, worn to commemorate the

sacrifices of our Armed Forces while providing us with a way to support today’s service community. “We’re proud to reveal these images and hope people across the nation will take a moment to

reflect, and give generously to the appeal to help the Legion raise money towards our work.”