On 10 November 2024 at 9.15pm the GWR Night Riveria Sleeper Train undertook its first ever run as part of the event, first known as Poppies to Paddington. The first Routes of Remembrance event by The Veterans Charity, now in its fifth year!
It was created by the charity to help keep remembrance on track through the pandemic, initially to help one elderly veteran, it now involves many more as well as Lord Lieutenant’s, Military Personnel, MP’s, Councils and a wide range of other organisations.
The Veterans Charity Trustee who created this concept was present at Penzance Station to join with veterans and other organisations who had got onboard with the 2024 event. This year we were honoured to be joined by Wing Commander Helen Simpson, Station Commander at RAF St Mawgan, a number of RNLI crew members were also present. The Sleeper Train was fitted with a most resplendent head board for the front of the locomotive, a very fitting tribute.
The Sleeper Train service was the first to arrive on Platform 1 at London Paddington Station in the early hours of Armistice Day. The Tommy statue has crimson cascades recycled from poppy wreaths from the 4 previous outings of the GWR trains.
Before the Sleeper train arrived at Paddington the second wave of trains had begun to depart, not least the first train of the 11th of November, once again it came from Penzance, less than 8 hours after the Night Riveria had left.
The Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Wg Cdr Simpson and military personnel from the RAF and RN saw the next wreaths off, with veterans who had been present a few hours earlier, as sterling effort to keep remembrance moving once again.
Further up the line Vice Admiral Sir Timothy James Hamilton Laurence joined a service on the morning of the 11th of November, to help escort wreaths to the capital.
In total 9 more trains from across England and Wales headed to Paddington, from Penzance in the South West of England to Gatwick Airport, to Pembrokeshire in South Wales to Worcester and many stations in between.
Themes this year included marking the 80th year of the last patrols by armoured trains in the UK, the 80th anniversary of D-Day, two wreaths included sand from all 5 beaches and one had been part of our special Route of Remembrance – Op The Longest Way. We also acknowledged the support of the RNLI in saving thousands of lives in WW1 and WW2.
Another tradition was to ensure the first of the many wreaths, sailed to the Isles of Scilly and enjoyed a tour of the Islands memorials and organisations, with thanks to Devon and Cornwall Police for ensuring their community on the Islands could get onboard.
Thank you to all those who get onboard and support our moving act of remembrance.