Wreaths will board trains from across the South West for Poppies to Paddington
This Armistice Day of 11/11 will see hundreds of poppy wreaths carried on the GWR network to the capital as the poignant tribute event marks its seventh year
Hundreds of wreaths from stations across Devon’s railway network and beyond will be carried to the capital this Armistice Day as the Poppies to Paddington commemoration marks its seventh year.
In partnership with Barnstaple-based The Veterans Charity and Network Rail, Great Western Railway (GWR) on Wednesday (November 11) trains around the country will see veterans and representatives board at local stations to bear their poppy wreaths to London.
There, they will be laid at the iconic War Memorial on Platform 1. Where members of the armed forces, veterans, railway staff and special guests will observe a two-minute silence at 11am to honour those lost in past and present conflicts.
Initially begun during the covid lockdown as a way for veterans especially to mark Armistice Day, the Poppies to Paddington initiative has grown and its seventh year also marks 110 years since the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest campaigns in military history.
In devon, wreaths will board trains from Barnstaple, Exeter, Torbay and Ivybridge as well as throughout the south West and across the GWR network.
This year will also recognise the contribution of soldiers from across the Commonwealth, including thousands of those who served in the British Indian Army whose service and sacrifice have only recently been formally acknowledged.
At Paddington, members of the King’s Gurkha Artillery Unit will form a guard of honour alongside the Defence Sikh Network: 1914 Sikhs to welcome a special-liveried remembrance train featuring the names of 2,545 former GWR workers who lost their lives during the First World War.
Danny Greeno, CEO of The Veterans Charity, said: “We’re incredibly proud to continue our partnership with GWR as Poppies to Paddington enters its seventh year.
“What began as a simple idea during lockdown has grown into a powerful annual act of remembrance, bringing together railway and military communities from across the network to honour those who have served and sacrificed their lives.
“Seeing wreaths travel from communities across the South West, South Wales and beyond to Paddington is a poignant reminder of the shared history that connects us. Coming together on Platform 1 to remember the fallen is a privilege, and an important way to ensure their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.”
GWR managing director, Mark Hopwood CBE, added: “Poppies to Paddington is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by so many people, from across our communities and around the world, in the service of others.
“This year we want to further shine a light on those whose contributions to the First World War went unrecognised for generations. The discovery of thousands of previously forgotten soldiers is a poignant reminder that Remembrance must reflect everyone who served and sacrificed their lives.
“We are proud that the railway can once again bring people together for this important Act of Remembrance, honouring the fallen and recognising the continuing contribution of our Armed Forces community.”
Around 1.4 million people from the Indian subcontinent – now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh – are known to have served in the British Indian Army during the First World War. Of the thousands of soldiers identified through the research, around a quarter were Sikh, a quarter Hindu and around 40 per cent Muslim.
Harbakhsh Grewal of UK Punjab Heritage Association said: “The UK Punjab Heritage Association (UKPHA) is delighted to participate in this year’s Poppies to Paddington commemoration, coming as it does after formal recognition of 9,909 Punjabi servicemen who had previously been omitted from the records.
“From villages across Punjab, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs joined in their hundreds of thousands. The Punjab Registers have proved vital in documenting those men, with some 320,000 in total unearthed through our work.
“We are therefore honoured to be part of this year’s event to come together and commemorate them, and all who served including this year’s special commemoration of the Somme where Punjabis also fought and died. We Will Remember Them.”