Cornish veteran urges people to think of ex-servicepeople who are struggling now
Andy Kent has joined other veterans in laying a poppy wreath on a special train, as part of Routes of Remembrance
Last updated 11th Nov 2022
On Armistice Day, a Cornish veteran is asking us to think of ex-servicepeople who are now battling with issues like drug and alcohol addiction.
Andy Kent has laid a poppy wreath on a special train which is travelling from Penzance to Paddington, as part of 'Routes of Remembrance'.
Veterans across Cornwall and the UK are taking part in the scheme by The Veteran's Charity today (Friday 11 November) to mark Remembrance Day. It's being supported by drug and alcohol charity With You
Routes of Remembrance allows service personnel, veterans and organisations who would not usually be present for the Remembrance services at London’s rail stations to pay tribute to the fallen by sending a poppy wreath.
In the last 12 months (up to Sept 2022) With You has supported over 175 Armed Forces veterans in Cornwall.
Andy was also helped by the charity: "While I was using, I completely rejected anything to do with the forces.
"My time serving my country was a period I’m so proud of and back then I felt ashamed of where I had ended up. But that’s what happens with many veterans. Life after the forces can be tough, particularly if you’ve experienced trauma while in the forces.
"With You for the Armed Forces Community provides a service for veterans that's separate from the civilian side of things and that's important because we have lived different lives and relate to things differently.
"With You has helped me give myself permission to be proud once more, which is why I am taking part today and sending a wreath as part of Routes to Paddington."
The Veteran's Charity created the initiative - initially called Poppies to Paddington - in 2020, to ensure that acts of Remembrance continued during COVID-19 restrictions.
They have continued the unique act of remembrance and created Routes of Remembrance, which covers the whole of the UK and beyond. Enabling communities, Veterans, military units and many other organisations and groups to be a part of a very special tribute to our fallen.
Staff and service users from the charity's With You for the Armed Forces Community - the UK’s only support programme for veterans dealing with drug and alcohol issues - will be sending poppy wreaths from Cornwall to Paddington on the GWR network, as part of the scheme.
Mark Thomas, the Armed Forces Team Leader for With You in Cornwall said: "Remembrance Day is always a day to remember our friends and colleagues not only lost in conflict, but also those who may have been lost to the struggles of life after the military.
"I know myself that it can be an isolating time and coming together to share experiences and get support is invaluable. Routes of Remembrance allows us to be involved in Remembrance Day and pay our respects to the fallen."
Cornwall has a higher-than-average number of retired veterans than the rest of the UK and many can experience feelings of loneliness and isolation as they struggle to adjust to a life without the day-to-day structure of military life.
According to the 2011 census, Cornwall is home to an estimated 11,723 working-age veterans — those aged between 16 and 64. That's around four per cent of the overall population, one of the highest proportions in England and Wales.