Rail industry announces support for military personnel and veterans to attend remembrance services

By Susie Watkins

30th Oct 2023 | Local News

Trinity Church Frome: Photo Nub News
Trinity Church Frome: Photo Nub News
  • Train companies stand with veterans to provide them with free rail travel across the country as the nation pauses in remembrance 
  • Royal British Legion fundraising volunteers also given free travel to raise money for veterans.  

Military personnel and veterans attending services of remembrance next month can travel to and from the events by train for free. 

The offer will benefit people travelling to and from services anywhere in Britain on Remembrance Sunday, 12 November. Veterans and serving personnel attending the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph can travel to any London terminal for free on Saturday 11 November or on the day – and be able to return home for free afterwards. 

Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train companies, said the offer is open to serving military personnel in uniform or who show a current Ministry of Defence-issued identity card. Veterans can show a Veterans Railcard, a Veterans Oyster card or other proof of service – such as a Ministry of Defence-issued Veterans ID card. 

RDG Chief Executive Jacqueline Starr said: "Many of our great railway stations have memorials to the thousands of rail workers who gave their lives in the two world wars of the last century. During this period of reflection and remembrance, the rail industry is proud to help the service personnel of today – and those that have fought in more recent conflicts – travel to ceremonies up and down Britain as the nation gathers to remember those who have died serving our country." 

Working in partnership with the Royal British Legion (RBL), the rail industry has also offered free travel to volunteers registered to raise money at official Poppy Day events in London (2 November) and Manchester (9 November) if they produce their Royal British Legion-issued ID. 

Andy Taylor-Whyte, Poppy Appeal Director for the RBL, said: "We are delighted that train companies recognise the significance of Remembrance and the RBL is extremely grateful for the offer of free transport for veterans and service personnel. It will allow the men and women of our armed forces community to mark this occasion without worrying about additional cost. 
"It is also a huge benefit that our wonderful volunteers can travel for free, allowing them to collect for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal at both London Poppy Day (Nov 2) and Manchester Poppy Day (Nov 9). Our City Poppy Days offer the public a unique opportunity to interact with service personnel and veterans and help us to raise vital funds to support members of the armed forces community. It will also allow the public to get hold of our newly designed plastic-free poppies across London and Manchester." 

Veterans or serving personnel taking part in other remembrance-related events earlier in November may also be able to travel for free and should contact the train company they plan to use. 

     

New midsomernorton Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: midsomernorton jobs

Share:

Related Articles

Potholes are without question bigger and more widespread than ever. Image Nub News
Local News

The equivalent of 352 tennis courts? Serving up road resurfacing across Bath and North East Somerset

The bins by the canal at Bathampton are collected for the last time on Monday March 11 - image supplied
Local News

The Canal & River Trust has said it was B&NES' decision to close the bins at Bathampton

Sign-Up for our FREE Newsletter

We want to provide midsomernorton with more and more clickbait-free local news.
To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following.
Help us survive and sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Already subscribed? Thank you. Just press X or click here.
We won't pass your details on to anyone else.
By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy.