Restaurant is slammed for ‘cashing in’ on Armistice Day after it brought out a ‘Lest We Forget’ burger that comes with a poppy pinned to the bun

• The Thin White Duke bar in Carlisle has been blasted by critics on social media
• The burger arrives with a red Remembrance poppy stuck into one of its buns
• The meal being marketed by the bar as part of Armistice Day commemorations

A restaurant in Cumbria has apologised after being slammed for ‘cashing in’ on Remembrance Day when it launched a ‘Lest We Forget’ burger that comes with a poppy pinned to the bun.

The Thin White Duke bar in Carlisle has been blasted by critics online after it advertised the ‘inappropriate’ meal in a Facebook post yesterday.

The burger, which is sold with chips, salad and a poppy seed coleslaw, arrives complete with a red Remembrance poppy stuck into one of its buns.

The meal is being marketed by the bar as part of Armistice Day commemorations.

The eaterie, a mile away from the former home of a First World War officer posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, was advertised online with the caption: ‘Lest we forget Burger.

The Thin White Duke bar in Carlisle has been blasted by critics online after it advertised the ‘inappropriate’ meal in a Facebook post yesterday (pictured)

‘On this special day we’re bringing you this 100% Steak Mince Burger topped with Cornish cruncher cheddar, poppy seed slaw & English ale ketchup served with hand-cut chips.

Hashtags used to sell the burger include £RemembranceDay alongside others such as £Chips, £Mouthwatering and £Foodcoma.

It is unknown how much the burger is being sold for, but other burgers range from £10.25-£11.50.

The post was met with outrage by many social media users.

Chris CL wrote: ‘There’s nothing I enjoy more when solemnly pondering the sacrifice of our brave war dead than ripping in to a succulent mince steak burger.

‘The poppy-seed slaw is a classy touch. Respect levels just off the scale here.’

Andrew Heston added: ‘This is so wrong. Really cheap attempt at cashing in on a day that’s about something so respectful, really bad taste.’

Karen Addison said: ‘Totally inappropriate and tactless. No respect.’

The Thin White Duke bar in Carlisle has been blasted by critics online after it advertised the ‘inappropriate’ meal in a Facebook post yesterday

Andrew Heston accused the pub of ‘cashing in’ on a day that is supposed to be about respect

With tongue-in-cheek Chris CL said there was nothing he enjoyed more than eating a burger while remembering the ‘war dead’

Stephen Coshott said the burger needed ‘more ketchup’ to ‘signify the blood of the fallen’

Bren Flood asked if the proceeds from the sale of the burger would be going to the Royal British Legion

Bren Flood agreed, asking: ‘What’s more tasteless, the burger or the naff tie in to Remembrance Sunday?

‘What proceeds from this will be going to the Royal British Legion?’

And Stephen Coshott said: ‘Needs more ketchup to signify the blood of the fallen.’ 

The red poppy is used by the British Legion as a mark of Remembrance and support for the Armed Forces community.

A symbol of ‘hope for a peaceful future’, the poppy was first introduced in 1921 following World War I in which 40 million civilians and military personnel are estimated to have died.

The Thin White Duke is located just one mile from the former home of Victoria Cross winner Joseph Henry Collin.

The Thin White Duke is located just one mile from the former home of Victoria Cross winner Joseph Henry Collin

2nd Lt. Collin earned the accolade following his actions in 1918 while in battle at Givenchy, France.

Against heavy fire, 2nd Lt. Collin single handedly managed to attack an enemy machine gunner, successfully keeping them at bay until he was fatally wounded.

He was awarded the honour posthumously, having died in action aged just 24.

In a statement on their Facebook page, the pub said: ‘We are deeply sorry for any offence caused by this post.

‘We have raised money for the Royal British Legion for the last 8 years and try to raise awareness by having a special burger on for this special day. 

‘We can confirm that all the money for the sale of this burger will be going towards the poppy appeal. 

‘We sold 11 burgers, so £131.45 plus any money collected in the collection boxes.

‘This was intended to raise awareness not to cause offence, and we sincerely apologise for this.’

A spokesman for The Royal British Legion said: ‘It is an unfortunate use of the Poppy, which is a universal symbol of remembrance and hope, but we recognise that the venue has since apologised and made a donation from the proceeds.

‘The Legion is grateful to all individuals as well as shops, pubs and other commercial enterprises which choose to show their support for the Poppy Appeal.’

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