Veterans take poppy wreath on 400 mile train journey from Glasgow to London

A group of veterans who work for train operator Avanti West Coast joined the Royal British Legion to build and transport a poppy wreath more than 400 miles from Glasgow to London as part of a journey to mark Remembrance.

Created to highlight the important link that rail has to the military, the tribute saw colleagues from the operator, who are all ex-serving personnel, individually decorate a plain wreath with poppy posies throughout a journey between Glasgow and London to honour those who have served.

It started its journey in Glasgow and from there the wreath was gradually filled by veterans each paying their respects by adding a poppy individually at twelve separate stations along the route.

Regional operations manager at Avanti, Paul Williams, who served in the British Army Reserve for 38 years between 1985 and 2023, took over as driver of the train from Preston to Coventry.

He said: “Serving in the Army Reserves in a variety of roles alongside my career in the railway is a daily reminder to myself of what can be achieved through strength and resilience.

“This journey is such an important tribute for those who have lost their lives in service and to those who continue to fight for their country. Having the opportunity to drive the train for part of the journey and seeing fellow colleagues from our Veterans Network pay their respects at stations along the way was a true honour.”

Also onboard the service from Glasgow, where a bagpiper was stationed on the platform to send the train on its journey, was Margaret Dzikiti, IT Project Manager at Avanti and co-chair of the operator’s Veterans Network, who served for nine years in the Royal Corps of Signals between 2004 and 2013.

She said that it has given her “a real sense of purpose and pride”, adding that the network “acts as support for those transitioning into civilian life and ensures that the value of military skills and experience is understood across the business.”

It is the third consecutive year that Avanti has marked Remembrance.

In 2025, the intercity operator worked with train maintenance company, Alstom, to wrap the cab ends of Pendolino 390151, named ‘Unknown Soldier’, with poppies.

On arrival at London Euston station, the train was welcomed by a collection of Network Rail colleagues and other representatives from the Royal British Legion.

Having completed its journey of 409 miles along the West Coast Main Line, the wreath was then carried to the station’s memorial and laid as part of a small ceremony which included a reading by Councillor Patricia Leman, Mayor of Camden.

A replica wreath will be laid at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

The journey marks the first of a series of Remembrance events at London Euston, culminating in the station’s annual Armistice Day service at its war memorial on Wednesday November 11.

Managing director of Avanti West Coast, Andy Mellors, said: “We are extremely proud to be in our third consecutive year of working alongside industry partners to mark Remembrance with this initiative.

“This journey demonstrates the strong connection between rail and the military, by uniting together veterans and serving personnel from the communities along our route. It is an honour to recognise our colleagues who have served for their country through the Veterans Network and to see what they have achieved today through this poignant tribute.”

Thomas Barry, Euston station transformation programme manager, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have welcomed Avanti West Coast’s special Poppy Train into Euston and to have joined our railway colleagues for such a poignant service at the station’s war memorial.

“Remembrance has a special significance for the railway, and it’s been a privilege to work alongside Avanti West Coast, our wider industry partners and the Royal British Legion to honour all those who have served and sacrificed.

“Seeing colleagues from across the railway come together at Euston to pay their respects was incredibly fitting, and I’m proud that our station continues to play its part in keeping their memory alive.”