We remember Armistice Day by wearing the poppy, that has become the iconic symbol of the First World War because it was the only flower to grow in the killing fields of Belgium after four years of trench warfare.

A little known but remarkable story of the First World War was that of the Angels of Mons who helped to protect the British Expeditionary Force. They were outnumbered by the advancing German forces facing almost certain defeat protecting the Belgium town of Mons. This was a case of divine intervention in a dire situation facing the British forces. This story brings to life for us one hundred years on the very real and frightening situation our armed forces faced during the Great War and how the poppy is our reminder today of their lives.

We wear the poppy as a reminder to pray for our armed forces who are risking their lives to protect our liberty that our great-grandparents, grandparents and parents bravely fought to protect. When we observe a two-minute silence on Armistice day we will stop and reflect upon the story of the Angels of Mons. We will remember that we serve a powerful God who is sovereign and who in times of national crisis does intervene in human history by sending his angelic forces to protect us.