A Speech from the Spirit of Invictus Train Conductor

“Good morning everybody and welcome on board the Spirit of Invictus - as part of this very special service to Birmingham. 

My name is Matthew and I am your Senior Conductor for today’s journey and our driver today is Stephen. 

We are both particularly proud to be here today as both of us are military veterans.

I spent 6 years in the Royal Navy, I left as a Lieutenant. I took part on the ground during typhoon Haiyan disaster relief in the Philippines on HMS Illustrious. I brought HMS Prince of Wales out of build and took part in sea trials for HMS Queen Elizabeth, both these ships are new aircraft carriers – and coincidentally, the HMS Prince of Wales was part of the international flag tour for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.

I was a gas engineer for 6 years after I left the Navy and joined West Midlands Trains as a senior conductor October last year.

Our driver Stephen served in the Royal Signals in 1990 as a Systems Operator. He stationed most of his time in Germany and UK, deployed on operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Retiring as a SSgt from his last post as a Trade training course Coordinator in the Royal School of Signals in Blandford. He joined the railway in 2014 as a Driver.

There is a huge connection between the military and the railway. 

It is thought around 10% of Network Rail’s entire workforce has a background in the Armed Forces.  

Here at WM Trains we have dozens of former service men and women working for us in all kinds of roles – many of who have travelled specially to be here onboard today. 

That’s why we are so proud to be partnering with the Invictus Games Foundation and to be aboard this very special train. 

Today we are going to run non-stop to Birmingham International where we are due to arrive at around 10.50am.

I’ll be passing through the train on our journey along with my colleagues, so please do stop us and say hello."