Poppy Day -- which marks the beginning of events commemorating Remembrance Day -- takes place today.

The poppies will available on sale in Hamilton and around the Island today.

War Veterans Association president Frank Farmer said Remembrance Day on November 11 will begin with two services -- one in memory of a ship sunk in a a heroic action in 1940 and the other for Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps soldiers killed in both Worlds Wars.

The Royal Naval Association is hosting the first service at 9 a.m. at Albouy's Point. It honours the memory of the armed merchantman Jarvis Bay , whose captain gave the order on November 5, 1940 to attack the German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer but was sunk.

The ship's action enabled a convoy bound for Britain to escape. Captain E.S.F.

Fegen was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his part in the action.

The second service takes place at 9.30 a.m. near the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps monument.

The major ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph on Front Street at 11 a.m.

It will involve war veterans on parade, the North Village and Somerset Brigade Bands and Bermuda Regiment units.

Governor Thorold Masefield will inspect the War Veterans and a Bermuda Regiment bugler will sound "Last Post''. Wreaths will also be laid in memory of Bermuda's war dead.

If there is inclement weather on November 11 the parade and ceremony will take place a the Anglican Cathedral starting at 10.30 a.m.

DONATION -- Governor Thorold Masefield purchases the first Remembrance Day poppy from Bermuda War Veterans Association secretary Ron Barton while his wife Renee and War Veterans Association president Frank Farmer look on. Mr.

Masefield's wife Jennifer is standing far left.