Poppies to Paddington: Train takes delivery of South West Wales wreaths in special operation

Wreaths from communities across South West Wales have been placed on a train bound for Paddington as part of a special operation organised by the Royal British Legion and train operator Great Western Railway.

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Published: 10th November 2023

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More than 200 poppy wreaths were carried to the capital today as part of Great Western Railway’s latest Poppies to Paddington operation.

Five ‘Poppy’ trains – starting from Plymouth, Carmarthen, Taunton, Worcester Shrub Hill and Great Malvern – made their way to London ahead of the remembrance service at Paddington’s iconic war memorial.

The Carmarthen train saw dignitaries from Carmarthen, Llanelli, Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot and Bridgend placing poppy wreaths on the Paddington-bound train.

***The Mayor of Llanelli, Cllr Nick Pearce along with other dignitaries get ready to place their poppies onto the train at Llanelli train station early this morning.***
*(Image: Llanelli Town Council)*

***The Lord Mayor of Swansea along with other dignitaries at Swansea Train Station take part in a special remembrance service on the platform.***
*(Image: Swansea Council)*

***Poppies on the train at Swansea***
*(Image: Swansea Council)*

***The Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, Cllr Chris Williams handing over a Poppy wreath to train manager David Bailey at Port Talbot Parkway station***
*(Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)*

***Leader of Neath & Port Talbot Council Steve Hunt hands over a wreath at Neath train station***
*(Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)*

***High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan and Mayor of Bridgend at Bridgend train station***

A special remembrance service was also held at Swansea’s train station, where a lone piper led a procession of dignitaries to hand-over their wreaths to the train manager.

A lone piper leads the way to the Poppies to Paddington train.
Civic dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of Swansea Graham Thomas, Council Leader Rob Stewart, the council's Armed Forces Champion Wendy Lewis, Regional Chairman of the Royal British Legion Philip Flower are there. pic.twitter.com/JISS3cpJ4i
— Swansea Council (@SwanseaCouncil) November 10, 2023

The Veterans Charity CEO, Danny Greeno, said: “We are very proud to have wonderful support from GWR for its Remembrance initiative, which is now in its fourth year. Poppies To Paddington was once again hugely poignant, paying respects to the fallen. Thanks to great support from the military and railway communities, wreaths were able to complete their journey from across the South-West to Paddington to form the backdrop to the annual Remembrance service on Platform 1.

“Bringing communities, service personnel and Veterans together to remember in this special way is so important to ensure the sacrifices of the fallen are never forgotten. Our sincere thanks to everyone who is helping to make this happen.”