Luke Pollard MP Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
From the First World War to today, Plymouth’s Armed Forces and their families have made huge sacrifices. This remembrance, it is an honour to stand alongside veterans to remember all those from our city who have fought and died in defence of our country.
On behalf of Plymouth, I laid a wreath on the 06.40 Plymouth to Paddington Poppy Train organised by Great Western Rail and the Veterans Charity.
Wreaths are being collected across the GWR network, to be laid out at a war memorial at Paddington Station, to remember all those who fought and died in the First World War and all conflicts since.
A number of Plymouth veterans took part, including former Commodore and Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Moor View, Gareth Derrick. Plymouth’s Lord Mayor, Sue Dann, also attended.
I also attended a Remembrance ceremony at 11am today at Ford Park Cemetary, to be followed by tonight’s Remembrance Festival at Plymouth Pavilions and Sunday’s service on the Hoe.
Today, the UK’s servicemen and servicewomen continue to play a central role to protect British interests and values, from training Ukrainian troops to supporting NATO allies in Estonia.
Gareth Derrick, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Plymouth Moor View and former Commodore, added:
“Joining other veterans this morning, despatching poppies to Paddington, was a privilege. This is an important tribute from Plymouth to the memorials at Paddington, honouring the sacrifice of so many who were lost in two world wars and since, including Great Western Rail workers.”
