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Earlier this year, we decided we wanted to honour some of the extraordinary Poppy Appeal volunteers who help raise vital funds for the Royal British Legion. The people who give their hours, their energy, and their hearts to support the Armed Forces community.

As a small token of recognition, we gifted ten of the first ever commemorative Poppy Pounds to ten committed RBL volunteers.

First up, we’re honoured to introduce you to one of those volunteers, former RAF aircrew Bill Tyack, and to share his story in his own words.

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Can you tell me your name, where you’re from, and a little bit about your affiliation with the Royal British Legion? 

My name is Bill Tyack.  I live in Fleet, Hampshire.  I served in the RAF as aircrew for 37 years.  When I retired in 2006, I joined the Branch Committee of the Fleet & Crookham Branch, becoming Branch Chairman from 2008 until 2021.  I am currently Poppy Appeal Organiser for Fleet, Crookham, Crondall and Dogmersfield (SBF 03), having taken over the role in 2012.

How did you first get involved with the RBL?  

 I offered my services as a Poppy Appeal collector in the late 1990s.

How long have you been fundraising for the RBL? 

 This will be my 25th year collecting.

What does it mean to you to support the RBL? 

 I had an interesting and rewarding career in the RAF and I am supporting the RBL to give back to those current and former members of the Armed Services who were less fortunate than me.

What has been the most memorable moment for you during your time with the RBL? 

I would not single out any particular moment: there have been so many acts of real generosity by our donors and of selfless dedication and brilliant enterprise by our collectors. Also, I have heard some fascinating and often moving “war stories” from donors.

Have you seen the impact of RBL’s work first-hand? Could you share an example? 

I am aware of several cases ranging from: financial advice; through help with independent living; to a major intervention for a veteran suffering from PTSD.

What would you say to anyone considering volunteering for the charity? 

 Give it a go. You will be helping a vital charity.  You will meet some brilliant people, both fellow collectors and generous donors.  You might even have some fun!

What do you think about this new coin issued in support of the RBL?  

I think that it is a brilliant way of remembering those who suffered and died for our freedom, and those still suffering. It also should prompt people to be generous in their donations to the Poppy Appeal

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If Bill’s words have inspired you, you can click here to find out more about how you could volunteer with the Royal British Legion.

Or you can purchase your own Poppy Pound, with a percentage of each one sold going directly to the RBL. This coin marks a landmark moment in coin collecting: the first-ever British Isles commemorative 12-sided £1 coin. Click here to see the full range >>

November 11th, 1945.
For the first time since the guns fell silent, the people of Britain gathered in unity – not in war, but in remembrance.

At the Cenotaph in London, His Majesty King George VI stood with head bowed, a wreath of poppies in hand. Beside him, a young Princess Elizabeth, dressed proudly in her Auxiliary Territorial Service uniform, laid her own tribute. Together, father and daughter embodied a nation’s grief and gratitude, a moment of quiet dignity shared by millions.

Winston Churchill, the man who had led Britain through its darkest days, stood solemnly nearby. Clergy, soldiers, and citizens alike filled the streets in silence. The weight of loss, the relief of peace, and the hope of a new beginning hanging in the air.

That first Remembrance Service after victory wasn’t merely a ceremony, it was a defining moment in the story of Britain.
And now, 80 years on, that moment has been captured forever in pure silver.

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A Masterpiece Born from Remembrance

Introducing the VE Day Masterpiece Poppy® 5oz Silver Proof Coin – a numismatic work of art that unites craftsmanship, history, and emotion.

Each year a Masterpiece Poppy Coin is released in partnership with the Royal British Legion. This year’s release is the perfect tribute to the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Each coin is struck from five ounces of the finest Pure Silver, finished to the highest Proof standard, and brought to life with ultra-high relief precision. Every fold, every feature, every line of that historic scene is sculpted in exquisite detail.

The artistry doesn’t stop there. The selective application of vivid red – the colour of remembrance, brings the poppy to life in a way that feels almost three-dimensional. Against the mirrored silver finish, it burns with quiet power, a symbol of sacrifice that will never fade.

Each coin is struck multiple times using a meticulous process reserved for the most premium issues, ensuring razor-sharp definition and a truly museum-quality finish.

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Secure Your Place in History

Eighty years after that moment of national reflection, the VE Day Masterpiece Poppy® 5oz Silver Proof Coin stands as a beacon of remembrance and gratitude.

Its beauty lies not only in its craftsmanship, but in what it represents – courage, unity, and peace hard-won.

With demand expected to exceed availability, only a few privileged collectors will be able to own this enduring symbol of remembrance.

Because some moments in history deserve to be remembered – in silver, in colour, and forever.

If you would like to find out more about the VE Day Poppy® Masterpiece, or to add it to your collection, click here >>