South West Devon MP honours those who gave their lives in service for Remembrance Sunday

A South West Devon MP has honoured those who gave their lives in service in recognition of Remembrance Sunday. Rebecca Smith MP placed a poppy cross on behalf of her community in the House of Parliament’s Constituency Garden of Remembrance.

The remembrance serves as a reflection of Rebecca's years of experience with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), where she served as the Public Engagement Coordinator for the South West Region. The CWGC was established to commemorate the 1.7 million people of the Commonwealth forces who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

Across the UK and worldwide, the commission preserves graves, memorials and archives in over 150 countries, ensuring that the sacrifices are remembered by future generations. As part of her work, Rebecca engaged the South West with this history, helping people reconnect with local stories.

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The region has a rich military heritage and is currently home to RM Bickleigh, the base for 42 Commando Royal Marines. It also houses the Plymouth Naval Memorial, one of the largest CWGC memorials in the UK, standing as a tribute to 23,000 naval personnel who were lost at sea during the World Wars. Rebecca’s role with the CWGC allowed her to share these stories and foster a spirit of remembrance, a commitment she now carries into Parliament.

Rebecca said: “It was a privilege to plant a poppy cross on behalf of South West Devon in Parliament’s Constituency Garden of Remembrance. Remembrance is an integral part of British society, something I feel particularly strongly about, having worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for more than six years.

"I will never forget the stories of young men and women I had the privilege of sharing across the Southwest for more than six years. In South West Devon we have a proud military community which includes RM Bickleigh, home of 42 Commando Royal Marines. We must never forget those that paid the ultimate price for our country and the freedoms we enjoy today.”

Rebecca took part in a range of Remembrance Services in Devon ahead of Armistice Day. On Friday (November 8) she joined the Plympton community in Burrow Hill, laying a wreath.

On Sunday (November 10) she joined the veterans community on Plymouth Hoe and in the early hours of Monday (November 11), she laid a wreath on Great Western Railway’s ‘Poppy Train’ at Ivybridge Train Station.

"As Armistice Day dawned this morning, I was on the platform at Ivybridge Station waiting for the Great Western Railway Poppy Train to Paddington Station.

"It was lovely to join the Chair of South Hams District Council, Cllr Bernard Taylor, Ivybridge Town Council Mayor, Cllr Alan Spencer and veterans from RBL's Ivybridge branch as we handed over wreaths to be laid on Platform 1 at Paddington Station."