SWR to provide free travel for Armed Forces personnel

The free travel is being offered to those attending any Remembrance Sunday events on November 10.

It also extends to those travelling to Waterloo for the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on either November 9 or 10, returning on November 10.

Read more: All you need to know about Andover's Remembrance Day services

The Submariners’ Remembrance Service on November 3 is also included, with travel to Waterloo permitted on either November 2 or 3, returning on November 3.

The Department for Transport is funding this initiative, available to anyone in uniform or with appropriate identification, across Great Britain.

SWR is also extending this offer to volunteers collecting for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, providing free travel to and from London to attend the Poppy Day events on October 31.

Anyone with a Royal British Legion collector’s ID can travel for free on SWR services to Waterloo on October 30 or 31, returning on either October 31 or November 1.

SWR is also extending this offer to volunteers collecting for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal (Image: David Murdoch)

Peter Williams, customer and commercial director for South Western Railway, said: "Remembrance Sunday is an important opportunity for people across the country to reflect on the sacrifices made by generations of service personnel.

"Alongside the rest of the railway industry, we are pleased to honour this sacrifice by offering free travel to active personnel and veterans attending Remembrance Sunday and London Poppy Day events."

However, customers planning to benefit from this offer should be aware of engineering works taking place at various locations on the SWR network in South West London, Surrey, and Hampshire on November 3 and 10.

Journey planners should be checked carefully before travelling, as other operators will also be affected.

Mr Williams added: "This initiative is especially meaningful to us, as many of our SWR colleagues have a proud background in the Armed Forces."

Scotty's Little Soldiers (Image: South Western Railway)

Earlier this year, SWR launched a network-wide awareness campaign to support one of its official charity partners, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which helps bereaved military children and their families.

The free travel initiative is part of SWR's ongoing commitment to support the Armed Forces and their families.

With the upcoming Remembrance Sunday and Poppy Day events, SWR is keen to ensure that service personnel, veterans, and volunteers can travel to their respective events without any financial burden.

The SWR is encouraging all eligible individuals to take full advantage of this offer.