South West Trains is helping to support the Royal British Legion’s 2012 Poppy Appeal. The London train operator will this week undertake activities to help staff and customers honour and remember Service personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

South West Trains has agreed that uniformed Armed Forces personnel can travel free of charge on its services on Wednesday (31 October) and Thursday (1 November). This will assist serving and former Servicemen and women travelling to London from across the UK to take part in London Poppy Day on Thursday.

In addition, South West Trains employees who have previously served in the Armed Forces are being invited to wear their own military decorations while at work on Wednesday and Thursday.

And on Thursday, South West Trains passengers at a number of stations on the network will hear a special announcement recorded by actress Barbara Windsor to promote this year’s Poppy Appeal. The announcement will be heard at London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Vauxhall, Richmond, Wimbledon, Basingstoke, Guildford, Southampton, Portsmouth Harbour and Woking stations.

Managing Director of the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance,Tim Shoveller said: “We’re pleased to be able to help Armed Forces personnel mark this important occasion by providing free travel. Money raised through the Poppy Appeal is used to help thousands of ex-Servicemen and women who have fought for our country over many years. It’s only right that we remember those who were lost in action and pay tribute to the sacrifices that were made, and continue to be made, by our Servicemen and women around the world.”