The Southern Co-op‘s funeral homes in Portsmouth and beyond are marking the WWI centenary by displaying poppies and memorial messages in their windows.
The messages of thanks come from relatives of those who lost their lives in the two world wars as well as those who made it back home, paying tribute to all those who fought in the conflict.
One of them was the grandfather of funeral co-ordinator Sally Chudley of the Eastney Road branch in Southsea. He was a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy Reserve during World War II.
His photo is now on display in the window of the Funeralcare branch.
Ms Chudley said: “My grandfather was mentioned in dispatches for the part that he played in the rescuing of troops at the D-Day landings. I have put a copy of the certification in the window with a photo of him in his uniform along with some war poems.
“Lots of people have been coming up to the window to have a look and read the poems which is lovely.”
Related: Southern Co-op to create Window of Thanks to mark WWI centenary
The co-op’s Fratton branch in Portsmouth includes an original copy of the Evening Post announcing the end of the war, a helmet worn by a soldier and ammunition that was used during the war, along with some photos of soldiers.
Among those who lost their lives in World War I was the uncle of funeral co-ordinator James Wiltshire-Bowles.
Mr Wiltshire-Bowles said: “My great uncle, Private Frederick James Pluck, was killed on 1 July 1916 aged 26 on the first day of the battle of the Somme.
“His photo is proudly displayed in the window alongside a presentation tin sent to the soldiers by Queen Mary, which contained tobacco and chocolate.
“We had one lady pop in whose father fought in the war. He was one of the lucky ones that came home, he was injured but he made it home.
“She got a bit emotional saying that this time of year he always wept at how thankful he was that he survived but then also for the friends and colleagues he lost. She passed on her thanks that the display had such meaning.”
Similarly, in Connor local schoolchildren are helping to decorate the window with images from a drawing competition in relation to Remembrance Day being displayed in the window.
The funeral home in Hayling Island is also inviting residents from the trading area to pick up a poppy for a donation and write a message on the Windows of Thanks.
The Southern Co-op’s initiatives aim to build on the 100 years of thanks campaign currently being promoted by the Royal British Legion.
