ENEMY forces are preparing to stage an assault operation on Plymouth’s Royal William Yard this Thursday – but don’t worry… it’s all part of this year’s spectacular Poppy Appeal launch in Devon.

Royal Marines will be at the heart of this year’s annual launch on Thursday 26^th October, helping to deliver the symbolic ‘first poppy’ into the historic former victualling yard on board an Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC).

Once docked the marines will present The Lord Lieutenant of Devon and the Devon President of The Royal British Legion with the first poppy, kicking off the 2017/18 Poppy Appeal across the county.

This year’s launch event will also commemorate the 35^th anniversary of the Falklands conflict in 1982 which Plymouth was heavily involved with.

It comes as The Royal British Legion is encouraging people to rethink what Remembrance means.

The poppy and the work of the Legion are often associated with the First and Second World Wars and elderly veterans, however the charity is calling on the public to reconsider what the poppy stands for and wear it in support of the Armed Forces community, past and present.

Following the launch event the veterans will attend a private ceremony at the Falklands Memorial inside Stonehouse Barracks where wreaths will be laid in memory of the fallen.

It is expected that the delivery will take place around 10.30am, after which a bugler from the RM Band will play the Last Post and Reveille.