Poppies to Paddington marks 40 years since the Falklands conflict

09 November 2022

Great Western Railway’s (GWR) third 'Poppies to Paddington' operation on Remembrance Day will pay special tribute to the Falklands conflict.

Hundreds of wreaths, including wreaths from SSAFA branches across the South West and Wales, will be taken to the capital by train on the 11 November, as GWR marks the Remembrance period with its Poppies to Paddington operation.

Lt General Sir Andrew Gregory, CEO of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said: “It is wonderful that Great Western Railway is once again commemorating the service and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces along their routes through Poppies to Paddington.

“Men and women step forward to serve this nation, in the process putting others before themselves. The annual period of Remembrance, which this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict, is when we all honour those who have given so much for our freedom.”

GWR Business Assurance Director, Joe Graham, said: “In the summer we were proud to pay our own tribute to the courageous men and women who joined the military task force and helped liberate the Falklands Islands in 1982.

“Now our third Poppies to Paddington operation gives us an opportunity to not only honour the bravery of all those who took part in the conflict, but the sacrifices of all those members of the Armed Forces who have died in the line of duty.”

Poppies to Paddington was conceived in 2020 to ensure communities within the GWR network could honour our fallen heroes despite the restrictions in place around Covid-19.