GALLERY: Great and the good of Oxford tells Oxford Mail why they wear a poppy for Remembrance Day

Oxford Mail asked councillors and residents why it is that they don the poppy and what it means to them.

Below is a selection of your comments.

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said: "The red Flanders poppy is a meaningful symbol of remembrance for the many millions of our fellow citizens who have died and suffered physical and mental injuries to uphold the freedom and values of our nation."

Mayor of Carterton Lynn Little said she wears a poppy out of 'utter respect' for servicemen and women and what they have done for our country.

Mrs Little said: "I'm wearing it out of respect and sheer admiration for soldiers in all wars. It's out of total respect for the fact they gave their lives so we could live like we do today, and we should never ever forget that.

"That's why I support our veterans who fought for king, queen and country."

The chairman of Eynsham Parish Council Gordon Beach said he wears a poppy as a symbol to show he is thinking about people who sacrificed their lives in the First and Second World War.

Mr Beach said: "I wear the poppy as an outward symbol of the fact I'm thinking of those who sacrificed their lives for us many years ago.

"I, like many people, have relatives in my family's past who fought in both conflicts and I think they deserve to be remembered."

Vale of White Horse District Council leader Matt Barber said he wears his poppy for troops past and present.

The Conservative councillor for Steventon and the Hanneys said: "It is a great symbol of remembrance that shows solidarity with those who have served and do serve.

"In a district like ours where we have got so many links with the armed forces, particularly at Shrivenham and Dalton Barracks, it is important we remember ourselves that it's not just about past sacrifice but also ongoing service."

Didcot town councillor Margaret Davies said she was wearing her poppy for her grandfather, Tom Smith.

She said: "He was in World War I and he was an ordinary man who came from a mining background in South Wales and he never, ever talked about his experiences.

"He was wounded and I am just really glad he returned safely.

"He had a leg wound but he survived because he was looking after the mules, which were used at the time for transport.

"He was just one of the many ordinary people."

Taxi driver Colin Dobson has been proudly driving around Oxfordshire with a plastic poppy fixed to his car.

The prolific tweeter and Abingdon Herald columnist said he wanted to 'honour' those who sacrificed their lives so we can lead better lives.

He said: "We are living in this country in a situation of relative peace and freedom and that's because of what forebears and people in previous generations have done, in completely unimaginable circumstances to the life we live today."

As a 19-year-old private on D-Day Bill Adams from Bicester lost several friends and says that is why he wears his poppy with pride.

The Second World War veteran, who served with the 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, said: "I wear it for the mates I lost on D-Day.

"The mate I landed with [Ian Holland] we crawled up the beach went through a mine field, the day after we were unloaded petrol cans either ends of the beach and he was killed.

"I have been a Royal British Legion member since I came out the army in 1947."

Gordon Roper served in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in Cyprus during the 1950s.

The chairman of Blackbird Leys parish council said he was wearing his poppy for a gentleman who served alongside him.

He said: "We lost one of our colleagues about two months ago who I joined up with.

"It is quite sad and I will think of him today.

"I think it is very important for young people to wear them so the sacrifices are not forgotten in the future."

Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "It’s important that we remember those men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our tomorrow."