AS Armistice Day approaches once more many people choose to wear a red poppy. People recognise November 11 and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They gladly give a donation to help support soldiers of former conflicts and respect the rituals enacted across Scotland. I am no different – except I chose to wear a white poppy.

I regard this as simply a different perspective on the act of remembrance.

Each year I chose to wear a white poppy in remembrance of all victims of war, including both civilians and members of the armed forces, across all nationalities and in all conflicts, past and present.

While white poppies may have become more common in recent years, they are by no means a new invention and were originally created by members of the Co-operative Women's Guild over 90 years ago. Many of these women had lost family and friends in the First World War and were keen that the “Never Again” and “No More War” messages remained an important focus of Remembrance events.

They are now distributed by the Peace Pledge Union.

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The injured and dead of war causes equal grief and sadness to loved ones regardless of the colour of their skin, how virtuous the conflict is held to be or its length. The trauma felt by victims often transcends into their children and the wounds bleed into society for a long time. There is no glory for anyone; certainly not the dead and whilst an act of Remembrance is a respectful sentiment, any mother would rather have their son, any sibling their sibling.

I have just returned from a trip with Beyond Srebrenica, formerly known as Remembering Srebrenica. Its name change helps reflect the fact that the genocide still reaches into every corner of society in Bosnia, despite the fact that the atrocities took place in 1995. At the war memorial we saw young girls crying – for whom I do not know – but the wounds are still raw despite them not being born when it occurred.

READ MORE: Why the Sunday National has a white poppy today

White poppies remain an enduring symbol of peace and a commitment to non-violence.

In the light of world events, where we are seeing death and destruction on a huge scale, surely a focus on these symbols is needed now more than ever?