NHS Wreaths Among Hundreds Carried On Poppies to Paddington Trains: Cornwall’s Tribute Heads to London

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Joins Routes of Remembrance

Three poppy wreaths from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust were among hundreds carried to London aboard special remembrance trains as part of the Poppies to Paddington initiative. Launched during the pandemic, this annual tribute allows communities across the UK to send wreaths to Paddington Station, honouring those who sacrificed their lives in service.

The first of the Cornwall wreaths was placed on the Night Riviera Sleeper from Penzance on Sunday, 10 November. This train, one of ten making the journey to the capital, was flanked by a guard of honour, including military personnel, members of the Royal British Legion, the Veterans Charity, and the RNLI.

A Moving Farewell for Cornwall’s Armed Forces Network

Neill Wilson, who serves as the Progress Coordinator at Helston Community Hospital and the Armed Forces Service Champion within the Armed Forces Community Network, placed the first wreath on the train departing at 9.15pm. Neill highlighted the importance of the event, saying, “The whole remembrance weekend is very important for our many colleagues with links to the armed forces. In particular our Army medical service colleagues. Next week, the Royal Army Medical Corps is being amalgamated with the Royal Army Dental Corps and the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps. Three corps will cease to exist and become one: the Royal Army Medical Service. This year’s event is the last before that happens. It is quite poignant for them.”

Reflecting on the legacy of sacrifice, Neill added, “We need to remember the sacrifice that our forebears made. The freedoms that we enjoy now are because of their sacrifice and we have to remember.”

Honouring Service Across Cornwall

The remaining two wreaths, symbolising Cornwall’s adult community service areas of west, central, and north and east, were placed on an early morning train on Monday, 11 November. Chief Executive Debbie Richards joined NHS colleagues, community representatives, and Mayor Councillor Julian Young at St Austell station for this solemn ceremony. “It was an honour for me to place the Trust’s wreath on the Train this morning,” Debbie shared. “It was a moving and solemn moment as we remembered those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy today.”

Routes of Remembrance: Hundreds of Wreaths Arrive at Paddington Station

Organised by The Veterans Charity in partnership with Great Western Railway, Poppies to Paddington is part of the broader Routes of Remembrance. This year, the wreaths arriving at Paddington Station will be displayed at the war memorial on platform 1, followed by a remembrance service at 10.45am. A striking display of 22,442 cascading poppy petals, recycled from past wreaths, will adorn the balconies flanking the memorial, providing a powerful visual tribute to those remembered.

This moving journey is one of reflection and respect, uniting Cornwall with communities across the nation.