The 2010 Bermuda Poppy Appeal begins today, honouring 2,776 men and women from the Island's armed forces who lost their lives during the two World Wars.

Royal British Legion (RBL) caseworker Carol Everson said the list of fallen is especially poignant this year a granite memorial bearing all their names is near completion and will be placed in the grounds of the Cabinet Building.

"It is the first memorial that includes all their names in alphabetical order, because units in those times were segregated," Ms Everson said.

"Every single name had to be checked with the service record in order to go on the memorial."

All that remains is for seven polished granite plaques to be placed in their frames, she said.

"The mason in England added diamond emblems in front of the names, for free, as a courtesy to the fallen soldiers."

The memorial includes space to add any new names that can be confirmed.

Ms Everson, who has been compiling the list for the last 14 months, said an official date for the monument's dedication is yet to be announced by Government.

Meanwhile, the first poppies were delivered this morning to Governor Sir Richard Gozney and his wife Lady Gozney as part of the run-up to Remembrance Day next Thursday.

Volunteers will collect donations for poppy tags in Hamilton today and in St. George's on Saturday. Poppies will be offered Sunday at the National Stadium during the Bermuda Rugby Classic.

The Bermuda Music & Dramatic Society will also play a part, giving a benefit performance of 'Dad's Army' on November 13 as part of the Appeal.

Ms Everson said the Appeal funds contribute to the welfare of all Bermuda's 325 surviving war veterans and widows.

"It's significant that Bermuda offered so many lives to the war effort. It's the highest per capita number of any Commonwealth country."

Anyone whose spouse or close relative is a war veteran can follow the November 11 Veterans' Parade with Cabinet permission, wearing their relative's medals on the right hand side.

An additional parade takes place in St. George's on November 14. It will be attended by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, and Lt. Col. Brian Gonsalves of the Bermuda Regiment.

Poppies will also be available throughout the Appeal at the Bermuda Book Store, the Cabinet Office, the Corporation of Hamilton and the Bermuda Regiment, as well as churches and participating businesses. Donations are appreciated.

l To take part in the Poppy Appeal, contact the RBL on 533-4567 or send an e-mail to: nosoldierleftbehind@hotmail.com