Correct way to wear Remembrance Day poppy - and different rule if you're serving

Today marks , when the country pauses for the two-minute silence at 11am to remember those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars, and every conflict since.

More than a century on from WWI, to our country and who paid the ultimate price for their decision.

Many people choose to wear a , giving a donation to the Royal British Legion which fundraises to help the Armed Forces community. The poppy was inspired by a poem written by Canadian doctor Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who wrote In Flanders Fields after seeing the devastation of the WWI battlegrounds and how the hopeful red poppies bloomed after the guns finally quieted.

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So what is the best way to wear the poppy? Some people believe the 'correct' way is to have the green leaf pointing to 11 o'clock, which marks the moment on November 11, 1918 when peace came to Europe and the Armistice held. But the RBL says there is no right way to pin it on - unless you're a serving member of the Armed Forces.

"Wearing a poppy is a personal choice reflecting individual and personal memories," says the organisation. "It’s a matter of personal choice whether someone chooses to wear a poppy and how they choose to wear it. From paper poppies to pins, bag charms to pet poppies, the best way to wear a poppy is simply with pride."

Many people choose to pin it to their coat or jacket lapel so they can wear it openly while out and about. Some believe it should be worn on the left, over the heart.

The only rule if you're currently a member of the forces is to check with your unit leader. A spokesperson for the (MOD) said: "The wearing of poppies is generally directed via the chain of command within each unit.

"You will see that many units do things slightly differently and this is usually tradition based on how a poppy is worn."

However, they added, there is no specific direction to the Armed Forces on how to wear a poppy and it is not compulsory to do so. There are certain dress rules for the British Army and Navy about how and when to wear one, while RBL Standard Bearers are permitted to wear their poppy on their beret. Standard Bearers should secure the stem of their poppy behind their beret badge, but never the leaf, which should be visible at all times.

When is the correct time to wear a poppy?

The British Legion says the best time to wear a poppy is throughout the Remembrance period, which starts on the last Friday of October until today, November 11 - Armistice Day. After that, the paper poppy can be recycled.

However, they encourage people to wear the poppy at veterans' funerals and commemorative events like memorial services throughout the year.

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