Author’s Note: Voluntarily coming to the assistance of other oppressed working class people and willingly suffering for that cause – is a noble affair. Indeed, such a selfless attitude of support is the basis of “Internationalism”. This type of fighting is designed to defend the weak from the strong and remove any corrupting, violent, or oppressive entity, policy, or regime. The objective is one of righteous indignation that is motivated entirely by preserving the welfare of our fellow man. There is no thought of profit-making or boosting the capitalist economy. Indeed, this type of war is rare, and it is one the working class decides on for itself as such an endeavour falls outside of the preservation and glorification of predatory capitalism. Indeed, quite often it is aimed at the overthrow of capitalism itself. Of course, workers and peasants have periodically fought for their rights over hundreds or thousands of years, with the movements varying in size and strength. From rioting in the town square to full on and widespread uprisings.
The historians of the feudal or bourgeois state, however, will have none of this, and will try to force you to remember only those wars and conflicts which reflect the will of the reactionary State. This is what Poppy Day in the UK is all about – and explains why we try to co-opt it for our own working class ends. We are shifting the onus away from middle class hypocrisy and toward working class practicality. That is all there is to it. No only this, but we are fighting Trotskyism and all working class reaction that wants to see all Socialism ended in the UK – rather than repaired, extended, and strengthened. Fighting the enemies lurking within the working class is as important as fighting the enemies outside the working class. Perhaps Chairman Mao had a thing or two to say about this. ACW (11.11.2025)
The so-called Royal British Legion was founded in 1921 as a vehicle to prevent British Veterans of WWI (and of the subsequent British invasion of Revolutionary Russia between 1918-1921) from returning home and joining Socialist organisations linked to work-place Unions and the then left-leaning Labour Party (in fact, a number of Labour Parties developed – one of them termed “Revolutionary” and another “Socialist”). It was thought by the British Establishment that this mass of military trained and combat-experienced men might lead the English working class in establishing a Socialist Revolution and politically aligning with Soviet Russia. The Royal British Legion gathers millions in money and makes millions more out of selling poppies whilst propagating a rightwing rhetoric. It uses very little of its income to help (or assist) Veterans.
It refused to help my maternal grandfather – who served in the Royal Navy during WWII – on the grounds that he had assisted the Russian Arctic Convoys by clearing mines in the North Atlantic (as the UK was allies with the USSR during WWII). We no longer support the “Russian Arctic Convoy Museum” – as its board of govermors recently voted to remove the word “Russian” from its name (for advertising purposes) with no hint of irony or racial intent – as it overtly aligned its policies in support of Neo-Nazi Ukraine! But I digress. My grandfather had had a stroke in 1987 and the Royal British Legion was concerned that the Soviet Press might print the story if they helped him in anyway. Needless to say, another military charity – (SAFFA) eventually assisted my grandfather – thanking him for his service. This is why I do not support the Royal British Legion and do not purchase (or wear) poppies sold by this despicable rightwing entity. I believe it propagates rightwing thinking in the minds of serving (and former) military personnel – and is partly responsible for the current and alarming trend – which sees British military personnel (and Veterans) advocating and supporting rightwing and far-right political ideological movements.
The Royal British Legion even once had the Press cover a ceremony where it agreed to accept a cheque donated by the fascist British National Party (BNP). There are many different types and colours of poppies available from places other than the Royal British Legion to choose from. Many different types of metal badges and flags can also be purchased and used. I firmly reject capitalistic and imperialistic wars and certainly reject all rightwing and warmongering ideology. On the other hand, I know that working class men have been conscripted twice to fight both World Wars – the First imperialistic – the Second an Anti-Fascist World effort. We are forced to serve and suffer. On occasion we choose to voluntarily serve in the military as a job – or to defend the country against some theoretical enemy. Since 1945, however, the perceived enemy has been whatever the US (and Israel) dictate it to be. The UK should be independent and neutral in my opinion, with a small self-defence force, or something similar, which can be rapidly expanded if needed. The Royal British Legion does not own the image of the poppy. I try to teach my children a Socialist attitude toward war.
Capitalist wars fuel the economy and make money for the already rich. We, the workers, pay the physical and psychological price whilst being forced to kill other workers for State profit. Warfare for profit is immoral and any celebrations of it is perverse. As a family, we remember our British and Chinese ancestors who fought in the 20th century wars, and by extension, any relative of ours who may have been in the military at anytime throughout history. This includes all the animals involved in human wars, all civilians, and all the troops of any army (including the enemy). Finally, we respect the views of pacifists and conscientious objectors – and remember those executed following unfair Courts Martial. I am also aware that some choose not to remember or commemorate what used to be called “Armistice Day” (the cease fire achieved at the end of WWI on the 11.11.1918) – simply as a means to disentangle from all this exploitative and capitalistic mess. There will also come a time when this commemoration will quite naturally fall out of practice – like many before. Whatever the case, and whatever it is you think or do, do not support predatory capitalism, State aggression, or the Royal British Legion – but always remember the plight of the working class soldier and all the victims of war.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 