Go North East is providing free bus travel on all services for veterans and current members of the Armed Forces on both Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. The operator has also unveiled a new poppy bus livery to honour the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces.
New poppy bus design
The company has had a poppy bus on the road for several years, but the newly unveiled version was designed in collaboration with Go North East colleagues who served in the Armed Forces. The design includes red poppies, silhouettes of soldiers and a purple poppy to honour animals that served and died alongside British and allied forces.
Kevin Shanks, a Go North East driver training instructor who was a soldier in the British Army’s Light Infantry, suggested adding the words ‘all gave some, some gave all’ to the bus. He says: “It was a privilege to have the opportunity to share some ideas for the new bus design. I’m really pleased with the outcome - the bus design is beautiful and a fitting way to honour those who served.”
Free travel details
Free travel is available on all services on November 8 and 11 to serving personnel who can produce a current ID card, veterans displaying a veteran's badge, cadets and anyone travelling in uniform. Adam Lusby, a Go North East driver who was a Royal Artillery Gunner for nine years, contributed to the poppy bus design. He said: “Adding a purple poppy to the bus was really important to me as I witnessed first-hand the contributions animals make to the forces, including dogs trained to find roadside bombs. I think their sacrifice should be recognised more often.”
Terry Harmer, a Go North East driver who was in the British Army as part of the Queen’s Royal Lancers for five years, also gave feedback on the poppy bus design. He said: “It’s great that Go North East offers free travel for the armed forces community to make sure no-one has to worry about the cost of heading to Remembrance events.”
Remembrance services across the region
Remembrance services will take place across the region this weekend. Newcastle's annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations will take place this Sunday, November 8. The event will unite members of the Armed Forces, veterans, cadets and residents for a military parade through the city to honour the war dead.
This will be followed by a Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial in Old Eldon Square. Each year, the parade attracts large crowds, culminating in a two-minute silence at 11am.
The military parade, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ian McGuire, Commanding Officer of the Fifth Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (5RRF), will include representatives from across the Armed Forces and uniformed services, veterans, cadets, the Royal British Legion and former tri-service personnel. They will be accompanied by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers as they step off from the Civic Centre and make their way along Percy Street and Blackett Street to the War Memorial, where the parade will form up by 10.45am.
Events have also been organised in Gateshead. A focal point will be the North East Field of Remembrance in Saltwell Park, where people can plant a commemorative cross and pay their respects. The town will host a number of special services to honour those who gave their lives at times of war.
