Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe and Royal Marine Dale Gostick were both killed in action in the past 18 months.

Their fathers – retired Major John Thorneloe and ex-Royal Marine John Gostick – said buying poppies was an important mark of respect for the war dead.

Lt Col Thorneloe MBE, 39, of Kirtlington, was Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and was killed on July 1 by an explosion while on convoy near Lashkar Gah, in Helmand.

Major Thorneloe, who will read out the names of the war dead – including his son’s – at Kirtlington Parish Church on November 8, said: “I have been president of the local branch of the British Legion for 20 years so I have got the Poppy Appeal very much in my mind.

“They will be putting my son’s name on the war memorial and in the church and Village Hall.

“I think the main and vital role of the British Legion and Poppy Day is remembrance and to remember those who have sacrificed their lives and limbs.

“If there is not a constant reminder future generations will forget as time progresses and forget at their peril.

The British Legion, with its fundraising through the Poppy Appeal, has an enormous role to play in supporting the armed forces in terms of pay, pensions and hospital treatment.”

Mr Thorneloe has also sent a Poppy to Flanders’ Field in Belgium, which will be planted in time for Armistice Day.

On the back he wrote “For Rupert and his comrades”.

Marine Gostick, 22, of Great Haseley, near Thame, was killed on May 25, 2008, near Sangin, Helmand, when his armoured vehicle hit a landmine, just days before his 23rd birthday.

He was the 97th British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.

Mr Gostick, 59, said: “It’s nice that people wear poppies out of respect for all soldiers. I always buy about 10 poppies.

“I think people generally are more aware of the appeal now because of what’s happening in Afghanistan and they do show their appreciation.

“But if you don’t wear a poppy you are not recognising what they have done for us. These people are putting their lives on the line for us.”

Mr Gostick said the RBL did important work helping those with permanent disabilities.