During the Second battle Of Ypres in the spring of 1915, a Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer was killed when a shell exploded near him. he was a close friend to a Canadian Military docotr Major John McCrae.
John was asked to conduct the burial service owing to the chaplain being called away on duty elsewhere. It was believed that John began the draft for his famous peom "In Flanders Fields"
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
To all the fallen that gave their lives for our freedom, a grateful nation will never forget.