Royal Navy, Army and RAF personnel and veterans to get free train travel for remembrance services - when

People with a defence background will not be charged for travel while attending remembrance services on November 2, 3, 9 and 10. Poppy Appeal collectors can also catch the train at no cost to The Royal British Legion’s London Poppy Day on October 31.

Jacqueline Starr, Rail Delivery Group chief executive, said: “The railway has always been closely connected to remembrance commemorations, with so many rail workers having given their lives during the two World Wars. 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.”

The promotion applies for personnel visiting the Submariners’ Remembrance Service in London on November 3, the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London on November 10, and local services taking place in the Portsmouth area that day. 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.

Transport secretary Louise Haigh, Labour MP for Sheffield Heeley, said: “It's only right that the rail industry, which played its own part in our nation’s war effort, marks Remembrance Day by paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who continue to protect our country. 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.”

Train companies are also supporting Royal British Legion fundraisers, by extending the free return travel offer to volunteers raising money in London on October 31. Anyone with a Royal British Legion collector’s ID can travel to London on October 30 or 31, returning on October 31 or November 1.

Lucy Inskip, Director of the Poppy Appeal at the Royal British Legion said: "The Royal British Legion is immensely grateful that British train companies continue to recognise the significance of Remembrance and offer free transport for veterans and service personnel to attend the commemorations that mean so much to them. 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.”