Le Gallais Self Storage of Saint Helier, Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel, commemorated the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day by adding a poppy to each of the locks on its 470 storage units. The flower purchase supported the Jersey branch of the Poppy Appeal by the Royal British Legion. The charity supports men and women who’ve served in the British Armed Forces.

Robin Sappé, director of the storage facility, told the source the “poppy parade” was inspired by the field of poppies at the Tower of London. The company received positive reactions from its customers, who were impressed by the “novel commemoration,” Sappé said.

Red poppies became a symbol of remembrance for lost World War One soldiers after the battles that ensued in the poppy fields of Belgium and France. The flower was later adopted by the Royal British Legion as the symbol for its Poppy Appeal fundraising campaign.

The U.K. commemorates its soldiers on Armistice Day, also known as Remembrance Day or Veterans Day, with events including a special ceremony attended by the royal family, the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, and the Royal Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall. 

Le Gallais Self Storage is owned and operated by Le Gallais, a family-owned real estate firm that has been operating in Jersey for nearly 200 years.

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