Rail firms waive fares for Remembrance events

Military personnel and veterans can travel from the West Midlands to selected Remembrance events for free after rail providers temporarily waived ticket fees.

The offer applies to those going to events in London over the weekend of 31 October to 1 November, and on 8 November.

Free return travel to services elsewhere, including in Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and at the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens in Staffordshire, will be available on 8 November only.

West Midlands Railway customer experience and commercial director Jonny Wiseman said: "It is so important to pay our respects to those who served and those who continue to serve.

The offer applies to military personnel in uniform or in possession of a current Ministry of Defence-issued identity card.

Veterans must show a Veterans Railcard, Ministry of Defence-issued Veterans ID or other appropriate proof of status.

Free travel has also been extended to bereaved family members this year, who were asked to apply by 16 October to secure a ticket.

Children and young people who have lost a parent from the British Armed Forces and reserves are also eligible to free rail travel.

Those with named complimentary tickets are asked to carry them alongside photographic ID.

Rail Minister Lord Hendy has said extending free rail travel to bereaved next-of-kin meant no one was "priced out of paying their respects".

The Submariners Association is holding its annual Remembrance Parade wreath-laying in London on Saturday, with a parade on Sunday.

The National Service of Remembrance will be held at the Cenotaph in London on 8 November, alongside other events in the capital.

Meanwhile, the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens in Alrewas, the annual Remembrance Sunday Service will take place at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial from 10:40 GMT.

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