TfL has partnered with two military charities to pay tribute to servicemen and women ahead of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE Day) on Thursday 8 May, and to raise donations for serving and ex-serving military personnel.
London’s transport network will be marking VE Day from Monday 5 May with five silent memorials featuring the Unknown Tommy and Unknown Woman in War statues on display at Baker Street, Balham, Bethnal Green, Charing Cross and Tower Hill Tube stations.
The displays, which will run until Sunday 11 May, were commissioned by the Royal British Legion Industries and will be placed by memorial plaques at these five stations, which were particularly impacted during the war, resulting in the tragic loss of life for civilians and transport workers.
These statues have been designed to help London commemorate and recognise the bravery and sacrifices of men and women in war – both fallen soldiers and those who continue to serve. The “Unknown Women in War” statue commemorates the contributions of women who served during wartime, both in military and civilian roles.
On Thursday 8 May, a two-minute silence will be observed across London’s transport network at midday and London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, along with a member of the London Transport Old Comrades Association and TfL veterans, will lay a wreath at Charing Cross Underground station. The station was bombed in 1940 and seven people who were sheltering in the station tragically died.
Royal British Legion (RBL) volunteers will also come together on the same day to collect donations across London’s transport network for VE Day.
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said:
“Every year we are very proud to support fundraising efforts for veterans, serving personnel and their families. This is a particularly special year as it marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, and we’re proud to support the British Legion Industries memorials and British Legion’s fundraising efforts. We hope that all our activity for the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War will encourage customers to donate and to take a moment to reflect on the support played by transport staff during the war, as well as those who served and were lost while serving our country.”
Lisa Farmer OBE, Chief Executive of RBLI, commented:
“Our enduring mission to support and care for those who have served to defend our freedoms continues to this day. Acknowledging sacrifice is an important aspect of remembering those who have served, and VE Day offers a perfect opportunity for that. We hope that the Unknown Tommy and Unknown Woman in War serve as a means to inspire reflection to all those who will see them on the TfL network. We are so proud of our affiliation with TfL and their support for our work. As a major employer of veterans, TfL has a significant impact in this area.”
(Pic: TfL)
