The Veterans Charity’s Chief Executive Danny Greeno and Trustee Iain Henderson travelled to Nottingham to deliver a series of workshops with East Midlands Railway (EMR) on keeping Remembrance “moving” through the Routes of Remembrance initiative.
The sessions reflected on the journey that began in 2020 with the creation of the first “Routes” event, Poppies to Paddington. Born from a simple act of compassion for a veteran in Cornwall disheartened by the loss of remembrance events during the pandemic, the initiative saw over 200 wreaths carried to London Paddington Station by Great Western Railway (GWR) from communities across South West England and Wales.
A Movement That Spans the Globe
Since that first journey, Routes of Remembrance has expanded year-on-year, with more train operators—including East Midlands Railway—joining the mission. The concept has grown beyond the railways to include the Royal and Merchant Navies, military and civil aircraft, and even historic vehicles, symbolising the many paths through which remembrance can travel.
This year, remembrance has truly gone global. Teams have paid respects as far afield as Antarctica, honouring the WWII Operation Tabarin mission, while others travelled to Thailand to remember those who suffered and died along the Death Railway. In Norway, remembrance took to the seas aboard the historic Shetland Bus vessels, marking Operation Freshman and the vital links forged across the North Sea.
Community, Creativity, and Connection
In Nottingham, The Veterans Charity team shared these stories with EMR’s Community Rail colleagues and joined in a poppy painting session, part of an upcoming remembrance artwork to be unveiled in November. This creative project brings remembrance to life in a colourful and deeply personal way.
EMR will also be holding a series of remembrance services this November across their region, including at Nottingham, Derby, and Sheffield stations—uniting passengers, railway staff, and communities in shared reflection.
Honouring Railway Heritage
With 2025 marking 200 years since the birth of the railways, the workshops also explored the long-standing relationship between Britain’s railways and the armed forces—particularly noting that it is 170 years since the Grand Crimean Central Railway was formed to support the British Army during the Crimean War. From troop transport to humanitarian aid, the railway has played a vital role in serving the nation.
The day wasn’t just about sharing stories; it was also about listening. EMR volunteers shared their own local military history—from the tragic tale of a WWII air crash near their station to the story of a WWI poet who departed from a local platform and never returned from the Western Front. These connections reaffirm how remembrance lives on in the very fabric of our communities.
A Continuing Journey of Remembrance
The Veterans Charity continues to champion remembrance in motion—through journeys of respect, acts of community, and the shared heritage of service and sacrifice. Routes of Remembrance reminds us that while times change, our duty to remember remains constant, travelling ever forward across tracks, seas, skies, and generations.
