GWR Poppies to Paddington with The King's Gurkha Artillery

Gurkhas from The King’s Gurkha Artillery joined an honour guard from Swindon Train Station to London Paddington on 11 November for the Great Western Railways (GWR) Poppies to Paddington 2026, helping to commemorate those who lost their lives in conflicts past and present.

From early morning, hundreds of wreaths travelled to London on services across the Great Western Railway (GWR) network before being laid at the station’s War Memorial on platform one. Members of the Armed Forces, veterans, railway colleagues and invited guests gathered for the arrival of ‘The Poppy Train’ at 1100hrs. An honour guard of Sikhs and personnel from The King’s Gurkha Artillery welcomed the train and the wreaths. A two-minute silence and remembrance ceremony followed, with songs from The Wessex, a 50-strong male-voice choir based in Wiltshire.

Organised by GWR in partnership with The Veterans Charity, Poppies to Paddington brought together serving personnel, veterans and community representatives to honour the ‘forgotten heroes’ whose contributions to the war effort had only recently received formal recognition.

Around 1.4 million people from the Indian subcontinent served in the British Indian Army during the First World War. Around a quarter were Sikh, a quarter Hindu and approximately 40 per cent Muslim. More than 90,000 Gurkha soldiers served during the conflict, sustaining over 20,000 casualties, including around 6,000 deaths. A further 16,000 Nepalese Army troops were deployed on the North-West Frontier and on garrison duties in India, releasing British Indian Army units for service overseas.

By recognising the service of Nepal and Commonwealth countries, Poppies to Paddington helped ensure that future generations would understand the full story of the First World War. The participation of The King’s Gurkha Artillery placed Gurkha remembrance at the heart of this shared tribute. Photography by Mr Mick Latter All images copyrighted, permission for use must be obtained.