England to honour war heroes in Remembrance Day test
England will show their support for the Royal British Legion by wearing a commemorative shirt on Remembrance Day.
The Lions will support Royal British Legion’s ‘Thank You’ movement by wearing a limited edition jersey of the forthcoming Test against New Zealand at Elland Road which will be played on Remembrance Day, Sunday, November 11.
The Royal British Legion is running a mass movement to say ‘Thank You’ to all who served, sacrificed, and changed our world during the First World War – honouring not only the 1.1million British and Commonwealth Armed Forces who lost their lives, but also those who played their part on the home front, and those who returned to build a better life for the benefit of generations to come.
Simon O’Leary, the Royal British Legion’s Assistant Director of Fundraising, said: “The First World War left so many legacies that positively impact our lives today, from ground-breaking social change to pioneering innovations.
“This Centenary of the ending of the First World War is a chance for us all to thank not only the British Armed Forces who fought and gave their lives, but also the thousands who fought alongside them from India and across today’s Commonwealth, and the many men, women and children who played their part on the home front.
“We are very grateful to the Rugby Football League for commemorating the Legion’s ‘Thank You’ movement and wearing the special branded shirts during England’s international matches against New Zealand.”
Jamie Peacock, the former England and Great Britain captain who is now the team manager, said: “The sport of Rugby League, and the England team, are proud to be associated with the courage and sacrifices of our Armed Forces, never more so than this year as we commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.
“We will be visiting the Western Front as a squad next weekend to reinforce that message ahead of the Test series against New Zealand, and I know the players will be proud to wear the poppy and to support the Royal British Legion’s Thank You movement on Remembrance Sunday.”
Tom and George Burgess, the Yorkshire-born twins who now play for South Sydney Rabbitohs, launched the shirt with Peacock at the Imperial War Museum in Salford on Monday.
Peacock and the Burgess twins were also presented with copies of a new book that has been published to signal the centenary of the end of the Great War, commemorating for the first time the 69 Northern Union players who did not return from the Front.
The Greatest Sacrifice – Fallen Heroes of the Northern Union, by Jane and Chris Roberts, is available from Scratching Shed Publishing.
For more information on the Thank You campaign, click here.
