Poppy appeal launched as body of latest victim brought back to UK

The armed forces charity group invited wives, children, and girlfriends of the 16 Assault Brigade to Colchester Garrison, Essex, for a private ceremony and to launch its 90th Poppy Appeal.

The ceremony will included a performance by pop group The Saturdays and demonstrated the Royal British Legion's commitment not only to servicemen and women, but also to their families and friends.

Those attending were also able to watch video messages posted to them by personnel stationed in Afghanistan.

The Legion's 2010 Appeal has a target of 36m, up from the record 35m raised in 2009.

Poppies will be on sale until Armistice Day November 11.

"Despite the current economic times, we trust the great British public will show their support for those who have sacrificed on behalf of their country," said Royal British Legion fundraising director Russell Thompson.

The act of observing a two minute silence each year on November 11 began in 1919, following the Armistice agreement between the Allies and Germany at 11am, on November 11 1918, the end of the First World War.

The launch came as the girlfriend of a soldier who died in an explosion in Afghanistan could barely stand to watch as his coffin was returned to the UK.

Corporal David Barnsdale, 24, from 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance), died clearing explosive devices in Helmand Province.

His girlfriend Helen McEvoy stood alongside his mother, Wendy, father, Stephen, and sister, Vanessa, on the high street of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire to watch the cortege pass through the town.

Weeping, Ms McEvoy watched the coffin approach, but stepped aside with grief as friends laid flowers on top of the hearse.

Cpl Barnsdale, from Tring in Hertfordshire, died on October 19, during his second tour of Afghanistan.