UK onshore and offshore operator Babcock has emblazoned one of its lifesaving H145 air ambulance helicopters with a garland of 100 poppies, one for each year since the guns in the First World War fell silent.

The livery, designed to mark the centenary of the armistice, covers the aircraft and sits alongside its usual branding of the Wales Air Ambulance charity (WAA), for whom Babcock operates the H145. The aircraft also features the words '100 years' in English and Welsh on its nose.

The idea for the paint job came from Babcock pilot and ex-military man Grant Elgar, who has been flying for WAA for the past ten years.

He says: “Marking the armistice is incredibly important to me, and even more so on this, the 100th anniversary. I spent 23 years in the armed forces and I'm proud to always wear a poppy on my flight suit at this time of year, and several of our aircraft feature one too. But for the centenary I wanted to do something more.

“There are exactly 100 poppies on the aircraft. They are all individual specialist stickers that took a while to fix into place but the final design looks great and is already getting a lot of attention. There isn't another helicopter like it anywhere in the world and I hope it helps to spread an important message of remembrance.”

Welsh flying medic Dr Ami Jones is also a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves with the 203 Field Hospital. “Those of us who have been a part of the armed forces understand the impact that conflict has, not just on the individual but on their family and friends," she explains. "People who are prepared to make the greatest sacrifice deserve the highest respect and our service is demonstrating our appreciation in a dignified way.”