Young Chiswick Cadet Helps Royals Remember

James Pavey 'plants' poppies at the Tower with Kate and Wills

On Tuesday morning, Chiswick resident James Pavey helped the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry 'plant' ceramic poppies at the Tower of London, as part of the ongoing series of events to mark the centenary of the beginning of Britain's involvement in the First World War.

Harry, William and Catherine were present to support a unique memorial exhibition at the Tower. Created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins and inspired by a line from the will of one British soldier killed in Flanders, the 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' installation plans to fill the Tower's dry moat with 888,246 red ceramic poppies, for each one of the British and Colonial soldiers who gave their lives in the conflict.

James, a Petty Officer in the Richmond Sea Cadets, was carrying out his ceremonial duties as Queens Lord Lieutenant Cadet for this year. After being formally introduced to the royals, and sharing a laugh with the Duchess of Cambridge (pictured below), James presented his own ceramic poppy to Prince William (above), who planted it in the dry moat. He then attended a formal banquet at the Tower.

Speaking after the event, James called his opportunity to meet the future King and Queen of the realm "an honour" and disclosed a little of what was said between them:

"Me and William were laughing about how I'm not going into the armed forces, but I did tell him that I'll be going to university after Sixth Form and traveling in my gap year. I talked to Kate about today's event and how many ceramic poppies there will be in total. We also talked about my time in the Sea Cadets and she congratulated me for my appointment as the Queen's Lord Lieutenant Cadet for 2014/15. The role has opened up my already busy life-style as a Sixth Form student while working part-time for a clothing store too, but it's all good in the long run."

750,000 poppies are still to be set down at the Tower over the summer months, with the final poppy due to be put in place for Armistice Day, on November 11th. Members of the public can 'buy' one of the ceramic poppies online for £25, with some of the proceeds going to six military charities.

August 6, 2014