Maurillia Simpson, veteran of the Royal Logistic Corps
Serving military personnel and veterans attending Remembrance services on the weekends of the 2nd/3rd November and 9th/10th November will be given free train travel to and from the events.
The offer is open to serving military personnel in uniform or in possession of a current MOD90 Ministry of Defence-issued identity card.
Veterans travelling on these dates will need to show a Veterans Railcard, Veterans Oyster card, MOD-issued Veterans ID or other appropriate proof of service.
“As an industry, we are proud to continue helping people to mark this important national occasion by once again offering free travel to our serving personnel and veterans across the country,” said Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of Rail Delivery Group.
She added: “The railway has always been closely connected to remembrance commemorations, with so many rail workers having given their lives during the two World Wars.”
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh commented: “Remembrance services are a vital time for our nation to come together, and this important initiative will make it easier for veterans and serving personnel to do exactly that.”
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The free travel offer applies for those attending all Remembrance services – including the Submariners’ Remembrance Service in London (3rd November) and the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph (10th November).
For those attending either event in London, travel is permitted to any London terminal station either on the day before or the day of each service and returning on the day of the service.
For those attending events elsewhere, return travel is permitted on the day of the service.
Train companies are also supporting Royal British Legion fundraisers, by extending the free return travel offer to volunteers raising money at London Poppy Day on 31st October.
Anyone with a Royal British Legion collector’s ID can travel to the capital on 30th or 31st October, returning on 31st October or 1st November.
Poppy Appeal director Lucy Inskip said The Royal British Legion was grateful to train companies for recognising the significance of Remembrance.
“It is also a huge benefit that our dedicated volunteers can travel for free on London Poppy Day, allowing our Armed Forces community to support, collect and commemorate without worrying about additional personal cost,” she said.
