Lest We Forget polo with pocket

The Lest We Forget polo shirt cites poet and writer, Laurence Binyon’s famous 19th Century poem, The Ode. The phrase ‘lest we forget’ translates to 'it should not be forgotten'.

Following World War I, this phrase became a common symbol of commemoration across Australia and New Zealand. Today, it remains widely used to pay respects on Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and beyond… To remember the service and sacrifice of those who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Beneath a burnt orange sky, a soldier plays the Last Post, to signify the end of the day. His bugle song blankets a scene of soldiers who, in single file, rest their rifles. Birds take flight overhead, representing freedom and peace for the war’s end.

The Lest We Forget polo features the 3rd pattern Rising Sun Badge. Requiring formal permission for use from the Australian Army, this official badge typifies the spirit of the ANZAC and represents the camaraderie of Australian soldiers. Historically, this special insignia was worn by all soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Australian Imperial Force in both WWI and WWII.

The back of the Lest We Forget polo shirt features a large poppy in full bloom. The poppy remains the enduring symbol of remembrance of WWI. Scattered across France and Belgium’s otherwise barren battlefields, red poppies grew on Europe’s Western Front and inspired John McCrae’s poem, In Flanders Fields.

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.”
John McCrae

On the back of the shirt, an Australian Light Horse mounted by a soldier (commonly known as a Light Horseman). Australian Light Horses bravely assisted soldiers throughout wars. However it was during the Gallipoli Campaign that the Australian Imperial Force was made up of an infantry division and light horse brigade, used predominantly for defence.

The Light Horseman holds a flag post that carries both the Australian and New Zealand flags to honour all ANZACs.