Why three NHS wreaths left Penzance, Truro and Bodmin by train

Three poppy wreaths left Cornwall by train in the dark this week. Each one stood for a different corner of the county.

They were placed aboard the Poppies to Paddington trains by staff from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, joining hundreds of wreaths carried from Cornwall to London for Armistice Day.

How Poppies to Paddington began

The initiative was launched during the pandemic, when no-one could travel to mark Remembrance Sunday or Armistice Day. It is now in its seventh year.

Poppies to Paddington is part of The Veterans Charity’s Routes of Remembrance, set up in partnership with Great Western Railway (GWR).

📷Neill Wilson on board the train at Penzance

A guard of honour at Penzance

The Night Riviera Sleeper from Penzance was the first of the 2026 trains to set off, flanked by a guard of honour. This included the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, who was joined by military personnel and members of the Royal British Legion, The Veterans Charity and Penzance Sea Cadets.

Neill Wilson, Case Coordinator for Palliative and End of Life Care, is also the Trust’s Staff Side lead for the armed forces community. He was at Penzance on Tuesday (10 November) to place the first of the Trust’s wreaths.

“It means a lot. As a member of the armed forces community, remembrance is always a special time for us anyway. We remember all year round, not just on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. But taking part in Poppies to Paddington is extra special.

“You have veterans from the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and the British Army who all come together. It is a proud moment.”

📷Neill Wilson and the wreath bearers at Penzance

Nine more trains on Armistice Day

The GWR sleeper service was followed by nine other Poppies to Paddington trains, which set off today (Wednesday 11 November). This year’s event marks 110 years since the Battle of the Somme.

Each of the Trust’s wreaths represents one of its areas for adult community services: west, central, and north and east. The remaining two went on the early morning train.

📷Kathy Smith and Matthew Burley at Truro

A wreath for Boscawen Ward at Truro

The first of those was placed at Truro by Kathy Smith, Ward Manager at Falmouth Community Hospital.

“It is to remember and never forget that these people gave their lives to make sure we all have freedom.”

Kathy was joined by Progress Coordinator Matthew Burley, who served in the Welsh Signal Regiment of the Territorial Army, now known as the Army Reserve.

“It was an honour to hand over the wreath on behalf of Boscawen Ward,” he said.

📷Loo Jones at Bodmin Parkway

The last stop at Bodmin Parkway

At Bodmin Parkway, Recruitment and Onboarding Officer Loo Jones was proud to place the final Trust wreath.

“Before joining the NHS, I worked as a Ministry of Defence civil servant at Royal Air Force (RAF) stations across the UK and overseas, while supporting my husband during his service in the RAF. Our final posting was to RAF St Mawgan and after many years of travelling, we chose to make Cornwall our permanent home.

“It is a privilege to take part in this tribute to those who have served.”

📷The Poppies to Paddington train

Platform 1 at Paddington

Between them, the poppy trains carry hundreds of wreaths to the London station. Once again they were to be laid at the war memorial on platform 1, followed by a service of remembrance at 10.45am ahead of the national two-minute silence at 11am.

A gold award in December

On 3 December, Neill and Loo will travel to Dorset to collect the Trust’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme gold award.

This year has also seen four more of the Trust’s community hospital sites achieve Veteran Aware status. Plaque unveilings are planned for early 2027.

📷The guard of honour at Penzance station