The Governor yesterday bought the first Remembrance Day poppy to mark the start of the annual appeal for war veterans.

Canon Thomas Nisbett and Isobel Flood, two Second World War veterans, met Rena Lalgie at Government House and presented her with the first poppy.

Rachel Jolliffe also attended the ceremony on behalf of her late husband, Donald Jolliffe, who served in the Korean War and the Suez Crisis and died last April.

Ms Jolliffe said that she was “absolutely honoured” to attend the ceremony.

She said: “It’s very special for me – I can say that I stood in for him and I think that he would have really liked that.”

Ms Jolliffe said that her husband, who attended last year’s Remembrance Parade, enjoyed the camaraderie that came with the event.

She added: “This was the most important time of year for Don, even beyond Christmas.

“This was his time to remember and he always lived with a great deal of pride for his service.”

The Bermuda Legion holds an annual fundraiser before Remembrance Day.

The cash raised is used to help support about 100 war veterans and their widows.

Carol Everson, the case worker with the Bermuda Legion, said the charity now helped all the island’s soldiers and former soldiers, including those who served in the Royal Bermuda Regiment’s antecedent units before they amalgamated in 1965.

She said the legion had also aligned its management with UK veterans’ charities to maximise support available to all qualifying veterans and widows.

Commemorations for Remembrance Day, which honours those who served in the two World Wars and other conflicts, are expected to take place on November 11.

The traditional wreath-laying and parade, which went ahead last year with strict Covid-19 precautions, is scheduled to start at 10.45am at the Cenotaph on Front Street in Hamilton.

The Royal Bermuda Regiment plans did not specify whether the usual lunch for veterans and their families, which had to be called off last year, would be held.

Back-up plans in case of severe weather will be decided by Ms Lalgie by 9am on Remembrance Day.

Canon Nisbett, who served in the Bermuda Militia Infantry and guarded the island against threats, said that the march was important for “remembering the price that had been paid” in the First and Second World Wars.

He added: “I’m glad to see another Remembrance Day occasion and I hope to see many more.”

Ms Flood, who was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division, said she was also honoured to attend.

Poppies and wreaths are available at the Bermuda Legion’s pop-up shop on Queen Street, Hamilton, across from the Bermuda National Library.

For information on wreaths and the Poppy Appeal, call 704-4008.