Opening the 'Field of Remembrance' with The Queen

In his role as Honorary Colonel of the Mercian Regiment, Carl Richardson joined Her Majesty The Queen and other guests at Westminster Abbey for the official opening of the 'Field of Remembrance', which marks the start of UK's Remembrance commemorations.

Carl Richardson (R) with WO2 (retd) Greg Hedges, Sgt Watchman VI (L) and Lt Col Dean Canham OBE

The Field of Remembrance is an annual event which has been held since 1928. It originated when the Poppy Factory brought a tray of poppies and a collecting tin to the grounds on St Margaret's Church, which sits in the grounds of Westminster Abbey.

Only a handful of poppies were planted around a single cross on that occasion, but it began a tradition that has grown over the years, and now a sea of poppies covers the churchyard in the abbey grounds each November.

HRH The Queen in discussion with Carl Richardson

The Mercian Regiment and antecedent regiments were represented at the ceremony by Brigadier Simon Banton, Lt Col Dean Canham OBE and WO2 (retd) Greg Hedges, handler of Sgt Watchman VI, alongside Carl Richardson in his role as Honorary Colonel of the Regiment.