​GTR remembers railway workers’ First World War service at Potters Bar station

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) hosted a commemorative event at Potters Bar station on Tuesday 6 November to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War, and to honour the railway workers that served in the Armed Forces and at home.

A poppy was placed on a “Tommy" silhouette sponsored by GTR and supplied by the “There but not there” non-profit organisation that supports military veterans’ charities.

Ten representatives of the Potters Bar British Legion chapter attended the ceremony with Hilary Shade, Head of Partnerships and Community Engagement at Hertsmere Borough Council, and Stuart Cheshire, GTR’s Passenger Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern.

Stuart, a former soldier himself, said: “A century since the end of the First World War, GTR wants to remember the railway workers from Great Britain and Ireland who served under arms, of whom 19,000 gave their lives. We also pay tribute to the enormous contribution of the hundreds and thousands of men and women who worked tirelessly to keep Britain’s rail network moving, delivering vital munitions and supplies to the Western Front.”

Joan Wright, the British Legion’s Branch Chairman and Poppy Appeal Organiser for the Potters Bar area said: “As a branch we were delighted that Govia Thameslink chose Potters Bar for the silhouette. Our Branch is quite small now so it means a great deal to us. The people of Potters Bar are being very generous during the appeal and I feel it is an accolade to them as well.”

GTR is hosting similar events at Blackfriars and Brighton stations, and has also sponsored the purchase and installation of “Tommy" silhouettes for 18 stations where the Sussex Community Rail Partnership is organising remembrance events.

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