Now
in its 16th year, the Ride to the Wall community paid tribute to those who ‘can
no longer ride by our side’ with a special Service of Remembrance in memory of
the fallen UK Armed Service personnel whose names are engraved on the walls of
the Armed Forces Memorial.
Martin
Dickinson, Founder of Ride to the Wall, said: “Each year we gather at Ride to
the Wall to reflect and remember those who can no longer ride by our side,
ensuring that the names on the walls of the Armed Forces Memorial are never
forgotten. We want to help make sure that the National Memorial Arboretum can
continue to share the stories of those who have served and sacrificed for our
country.”
“Since its inception 16 years ago, Ride to the
Wall has raised funds toward the ongoing upkeep of the National Memorial
Arboretum, ensuring that the site can continue to be free to access and remain
a fitting place of Remembrance for all who have served our country.”
After
travelling from across the UK and abroad, most of the riders arrived in convoy
after departing from one of eleven designated start locations around the
country. As the motorcycles approached the Arboretum they were greeted by David
‘Blu’ Sheaf, a veteran of Northern Ireland, who every year braves the weather,
standing to attention for five hours, saluting every rider as they pass.
The
2023 Ride to the Wall commemorations featured performances from piper Leif
Findlay, and vocalists Abigail Carter-Simpson, Gari Glaysher and Oliver
Moriarty. Families of those commemorated on the Armed Forces Memorial were able
to spend some time on the Memorial privately before the service.
The
Service of Remembrance commenced with a flypast of WWII-era Spitfire fighter
aircraft and concluded with a minute’s silence, laying of wreaths and the
National Anthem performed by the British Army Band Colchester. As thousands of
‘Wallers’ ascended the steps of the Armed Forces Memorial following the
service, the powerful music and lyrics of “Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits
could be heard across the site – the song is the unofficial anthem of Ride to
the Wall.
Since
the first Ride to the Wall in 2008, participants have raised over £1.5m to
support the National Memorial Arboretum, which features over 400 memorials to
those who have served and sacrificed for the Nation, set within 150-acres of
gardens, grounds and woodlands.
Philippa
Rawlinson, Director of the National Memorial Arboretum, said: “This is my fifth
Ride to the Wall and third year riding pillion as part of the Drayton Manor
ride, yet this unique and poignant event never ceases to amaze me. The rumble
of engines can be heard across our 150-acre site from early in the morning and
thousands of motorcycles processing into the Arboretum remains an incredible
sight.
Each of the riders has come
here to pay their respects to fallen comrades and all those who have made the
ultimate sacrifice in defence of the Nation, remembering those who can no
longer ride by our side.”
“We
are incredibly grateful for the ongoing generosity of everyone who participates
in Ride to the Wall who have collectively raised over £1.5 million for the
Arboretum to date, including a £150,000 donation presented at Armed Forces
Weekend 2023,” continues Philippa. “Their support is essential to ensuring that
we can continue to pass the baton of Remembrance to future generations and
remain a place for people to celebrate lives lived and commemorate lives lost
in service, freely open to all.”
