LNER names Azuma ‘Remember’ to honour Armed Forces

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has unveiled one of its Azuma trains with a livery dedicated to the courage and sacrifice of those who served in the Armed Forces. The name Remember was unveiled on Azuma No. 801214 after a Remembrance service was held at Newcastle Central Station this morning, Monday, 2nd November. The design was inspired by Reveille, the LNER Armed Forces colleague network, and draws on the personal experiences, insights, and family connections of Reveille members, with additional input from curators at the Imperial War Museums, and the support of the Ministry of Defence. Adorned with images of veterans from both Wars and more modern conflicts, Remember is a moving tribute to the bravery and commitment of people from different cultures and backgrounds. Among the veterans featured on Remember is Private Alfred Keech, who served with the Northumberland Fusiliers during the First World War, and after the war he settled in York with his wife Beatrice and seven children. Tragically, he lost his life in a German air raid on York in 1942, but his memory lives on through his grandson, David, who is an On Train Delivery Manager with LNER. Another image depicts Riflemen Joseph Murphy, William Aldridge, Daniel Simpson, James Backhouse and Corporal Jonathan Horne, who served together in 2nd Battalion, the Rifles, at Sangin in Helmand Province in 2009, and in July 2009, were all killed when an improvised explosive device detonated, killing all five men. Their pictures are displayed on Remember as a tribute to their courage, selflessness, and friendship. Lance Corporal James Wilkinson, who served with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps in Afghanistan, where he was injured, is also commemorated on the train. Other train operators have also honoured servicemen by naming trains after them, including the Great Western Railway (GWR), which named one of its Intercity Express Trains Tul Bahadur Pun, a Gurkha VC veteran. Direct Rail Services (DRS) also named one of its locomotives The Poppy to commemorate the Royal British Legion’s centenary year, Remembrance Day, and everyone who served in our armed forces. “Seeing the train arrive at Newcastle station this morning was very moving. I was thrilled when my brother Charlie, who is a Driver Team Manager for LNER and a veteran himself, contacted me to say that my picture was going to be featured in the livery design. To have my service recognised has meant a lot, and I’m proud to be part of such a special project.” Lance Corporal James Wilkinson