‘Poppy Man’ gets third national honour

PETER Xavier “Poppy Man” Williams has spent decades immortalising the memory of veteran soldiers. Now, Jamaica has saluted the 93-year-old once more, awarding him the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for his tireless advocacy for veterans of both world wars. Shortly after receiving his award on Monday, the retired army man returned to a familiar duty: Handing out poppies to guests at the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards. It was a fitting occasion for Williams, whose name has become synonymous with the poppy flower — a universal symbol of remembrance of the sacrifice made by world war veterans and hope for a peaceful future. “Well, the poppy, lest we forget, [highlights] the services that real soldiers gave for the freedom that everybody enjoys today, and it is well-supported. So that is why they call me the Poppy Man,” Williams told the Jamaica Observer with a proud smile. He proudly counted the honours earned over a lifetime of service. “Look, see how much medals I have?” he asked, pointing excitedly to the badges attached to his chest. “Three national honours! And I hope to get more,” commented Williams. The latest addition joins the Jamaica Independence Medal and the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service. The Jamaica Independence Medal was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II to honour members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and select public officials serving when the nation gained independence from Great Britain. Dressed in the khaki uniform and boots that he said were issued to him on October 6, 1952, when he joined the JDF, Williams noted that national service completely changed his life’s trajectory. Leaving his home in St Mary in search of a better life in Kingston, Williams hailed National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante as the mentor who put him on the right path.

Peter Xavier “Poppy Man” Williams (left) is seen with Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness at the 2026 Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards on Monday. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

“When I ran away from country I was trying to find Kingston. But the Holy Spirit led me to Bustamante. He was mayor of Kingston and St Andrew in the 1940s. Him listen to me and send me to school because I walked from St Mary to Kingston to find him. So, from that he became my mentor,” he said. Williams then attended Alpha Boys’ School, after which he made the decision to serve in the JDF. When he enlisted, Williams joined the Royal Corps of Signals of the British Army. He later served through its transition to the West India Regiment and then the JDF. Before retiring in 1978, he worked as a postmaster and chief photographer and was seconded to Jamaica Telephone Company for training as a JDF telephone operator. After retiring from the JDF, Williams spent 12 years as chief security officer at Jamaica Telephone Company, followed by another 12 years in the same role at the newly established St Mary Banana Estates. During that period, he also became active in social work and later joined semi-military organisations. Now, Williams dedicates his time to the Jamaica Legion, which is an affiliate of the British Commonwealth Ex-Services League and was established in 1949. It recognises Jamaicans who lost their lives during World Wars I and II and raises funds to support ex-servicemen through its annual poppy appeal which runs from October to November each year. But after a career of wearing uniforms, and receiving honours for his service, Williams argues that the most important uniform that he’s ever worn is the “uniform of self-discipline”. “I was a boy scout from I was 14. On my honour, I promised to do my best, to do my duty to God and the Queen, to help other people at all times, and to obey the Scouts’ law. And the Scouts’ law is trusty, loyal, helpful, brotherly, courteous, kind, obedient, and last of all, to be clean in body and mind,” he said, noting that this principle has stuck with him and influenced his decision to advocate on behalf of veteran soldiers. That moral, he argued, has become scarce among the current generation. However, he told the Observer that he will continue to play his part to get more youth into the practice of national service.