John McCrae students attend unveiling of new poppy, McCrae coins
October 23, 2015
Artist rendering of a new Remembrance Day coin released by the Royal Canadian Mint on Oct. 23, 2015.
GUELPH, Ontario – Students from John McCrae Public School gathered Friday at McCrae House in Guelph, to attend the unveiling of two new Remembrance Day themed coins.
The Royal Canadian Mint revealed the commemorative coins to veterans, students and community members at the birthplace of Lt. Col. John McCrae.
Behind the limestone cottage that has been preserved as a museum and memorial, representatives from the Mint showed the coin designs – a new 25-cent poppy coin and a $2 coin depicting McCrae’s writing of “In Flanders Fields.”
Grade 6 students from John McCrae PS attended the event that featured guest speakers Bev Dietrich, Curator of Guelph Museums, and Guelph’s Dr. William Winegard, who served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War.
Liam, currently in Grade 8 at John McCrae PS, recited “In Flanders Fields” shortly before the coins were revealed.
Dr. William Winegard, Liam – a student from John McCrae PS – and Bev Dietrich are picture at McCrae House in Guelph on Oct. 23, 2015.
Following the ceremony, students participated in a coin exchange, trading in old quarters and toonies for the new Remembrance Day themed coins.
The commemorative coins mark the 100th anniversary of McCrae’s poem. The doctor and solider wrote “In Flanders Fields” in May 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium.
Artist rendering of a new Remembrance Day coin released by the Royal Canadian Mint on Oct. 23, 2015.
He penned it the day after his close friend, Alexis Helmer, was killed in battle and buried in a makeshift grave, marked with a simple wooden cross. Wild poppies grew between the crosses.
Shortly after the poem was published in Punch, a U.K. magazine, in 1915, it became one of the most famous works about the First World War.
It was translated into many languages and was used on billboards selling victory bonds in Canada.
100 years since it was published, McCrae’s poem remains a solemn part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Canada.
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For more information:
Heather Loney, Communications and Community Engagement Officer
519-822-4420 ext.725
[email protected]
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