Published date 7 November 2023

Mayor boards special memorial train as West sends poppies to Paddington

Poppy wreaths from people across the West of England were transported on a special memorial train to mark Remembrance Day today.

The region’s directly elected Mayor, Dan Norris, was aboard the train with a wreath which was then officially was laid on behalf of the West of England at the war memorial at Paddington Station for GWR’s Remembrance service.

“Poppies to Paddington” is organised by The Veterans Charity and Great Western Railway. The event started during the pandemic, and has now become an annual event that sees wreaths placed on the trains from across the region all going to central London.

The journey symbolises the long journey made by soldiers on their way to war.

Mayor Norris said: “I’m proud to once again be taking a wreath on behalf of all residents to London as part of the very moving Poppies to Paddington initiative as we remember the sacrifices made by West of England service men and women, and their families.

“It’s 105 years ago since the end of the First World War and 78 years since the end of the Second World War. For children born today these dates seem far, far away in history.

“That’s why, many years on, it is more important than ever for us all to come together, to pause and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country, and to pass on the importance of Remembrance to the generations to come.”

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