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Throughout the manufacture of the poppies all 
British materials are employed, even to the silk used 
A corner of the Wreath Department. 
for the large silk ones. The latter is now possible, 
thanks to the co-operation of Messrs. Courtaulds. 
A point of interest is the success 
which has been achieved by the 
Fields of Remembrance. As is gen¬ 
erally known, the first Field of Rem¬ 
embrance was planted by the Poppy 
Factory' at Westminster Abbey in 
November, 1928, and the record sums J| 
collected then and in 1929 and 1930 
go to prove to what an extent the 
idea has caught the public imagina¬ 
tion. Miniature plaster fields are 
also made in the factory and sold at 
3s. 6d. each, for use as permanent 
memorials to fallen heroes of private 
homes. 
their wives. It is managed by the men's own committee 
and is most successful. Billiard, dart and bowling 
competitions are held, and prizes are 
given for the best gardens. The 
children have their “ Haig’s Own ” 
Boy Scout Corps, and Lady Haig’s 
Girl Guides Corps, for which a 
large room in the club, fitted with 
ultra-violet ray glass, has been allotted.- 
Altogether, the British ’ Legion 
Poppy Factory and its associated in¬ 
terests are a brilliant achievesnent, 
particularly when one realises that 
none of these disabled men knew 
anything of the trades they were to 
follow, and that a start was made with 
only five men in a tiny room. It 
says much for the ability, not to men¬ 
tion the great generosity of Major G. 
Howson, the originator of the factory 
and the present chairman of the 6r~ 
ganisation, who is the “ power behind 
the throne.” The factory owes much 
to him. He is keenly interested in its 
welfare, and he is there three days 
every week. His work in this sphere is, and always has 
been, of course, entirely voluntary. 
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In connection with the factory, 
there is a housing estate, consisting 
>f blocks of fiats with gardens, on 
which 68 men and their families— 
320 men, women and children—are 
housed. There is also a Social Club, 
for the welfare of the disabled men and 
3 . a 
Earl Haig’s Own ” Wolf Cubs in their “ lair ”—the room in which Lord Haig made his last speech. 
In the making of poppy wreaths 
too the factory has made great pro¬ 
gress, and these can be obtained 
through their wreath department at 
26 Eccleston Square, S.W.i, par¬ 
ticular attention being drawn to those 
incorporating regimental crests in ar¬ 
tificial flowers, which the factory 
readily make to order. Quite a num¬ 
ber of these wreaths are now r made 
with British-grown leaves, preserved 
in the factory, the problems of pre 
servation and painting having nov 
been solved. 
The Printing and Badge Making Department. 
In this connection, however, we 
would point out that the works 
manager finds it difficult to procure 
the requisite number of leaves— 
cherry laurel, yew r , holmoak, juniper, 
etc.,—and would be grateful for any 
assistance in this direction. 
