‘Poppy Man’ gets third national honour

PETER Xavier “Poppy Man” Williams has spent decades immortalising the memory of veteran soldiers. Now, Jamaica has saluted the 93-year-old once more, awarding him the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for his tireless advocacy for veterans of both world wars.

Shortly after receiving his award on Monday, the retired army man returned to a familiar duty: Handing out poppies to guests at the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards.

It was a fitting occasion for Williams, whose name has become synonymous with the poppy flower — a universal symbol of remembrance of the sacrifice made by world war veterans and hope for a peaceful future.