What was the purpose of the poppy pinned on the jackets of the top gear presenters this week?

hi it was rememberance sunday on the 11th november here in the uk, to remember the fallen war soldiers, we wear a red poppy to signify respect as a poppy can be grown in the most awful of conditions and still survive. everyone wears a poppy, they cost about a pound and the money goes to the memorial funds to help this ceremony go ahead each year. alot of people go to a service on the sunday 11th to lay a wreath of poppies and to pay their respects. hope that this is helpful, have a lovely thanksgiving..my nans from america!! have fun, kerry xxxxxxx

The other answers have the right info, but don't explain why it is that poppies represent Remembrance Day.

The reason is because of a poem written by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae on May 3, 1915 during "The Great War" (ie. World War One), the day after he witnessed his friend dying.

The poem starts off:

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row..."

This poem came to represent the remembrance of the dead, and the poppies, which grow readily in Flanders (Belgium), symbolize the rebirth of the spirit of each soldier, and the red symbolizes their blood.

Remembrance Day is Nov 11, which is the day that the armistice was signed in 1918, and is the official end of the first world war. Two minutes of silence are observed in many countries at 11am which is when the peace became effective. People from these countries wear poppies for a few weeks before Remembrance Day as a symbol of their appreciation for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Jeremy Clarkson Jacket

The poppy is worn once a year in remembrance of all soldiers killed or wounded in war. Armistice day is 11th November each year(The end of the first world war was the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month) The poppies are sold and the money goes to this charity.

Remembrance Day (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom), also known as Poppy Day (Malta, South Africa) or Armistice Day (France, New Zealand, and a number of other Commonwealth countries; and the original name of the day internationally) is a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War. It is observed on 11 November to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918.

It's a sign of rememberance of those who gave there lives in wars past and current for our saftey and freedom and helps raise money for their care in life and memorials for those lost!

It's tied very deeply to the first and second world wars but is used to remember all conflicts that we have been involved in and those who have suffered and paid the ultimate price!

Rememberance Day....to acknowledge the end of WW1 & to pay respect to our soldiers....it is all over the world...it's called poppy day and at 11:00am on the 11th of the 11th of every year we have a minutes silence...

Jeremy makes me chortle he so humorous and Hammond, tremendously whilst they're taking the piss outta Captain sluggish (James) I pmsl once I watch that teach, like it. i can not go with between Jeremy and Hammond yet i don't think of the teach could be a similar devoid of any of them, even James. i admire the Stig yet he isn't that great.

Rememberance Sunday.

To remember those who have fought and died for our Country throughout the years.

God rest their souls

poppys are worn to remember the dead of war .same as USA veterans day.