Sussex riders brave rain and snow to pay their respects

The Royal British Legion Riders Branch (Sussex) combined with their Hampshire Riders Branch colleagues to pay their respects to past and present comrades in the Army, Navy, Royal Air Force and the Royal Marines in the first ever A27 Memorial Ride.

40 motorcycles braved the cold, rain and snow and started the ride just outside Brighton at Falmer Church (historical meeting ground of the Sussex Yeomanry), laying a wreath to the Army before riding along the A27 to Tangmere to lay a wreath to the Royal Air Force (and warm up with hot drinks at the museums NAAFI canteen!); Portsdown Hill at Portsmouth next to honour the Royal Navy, before the ride ended with the laying of a wreath at the Royal Marine Museum Southsea.

Former Army man and Riders Branch Sussex representative Martin Johnson, who laid the wreath at Falmer, said: “Sussex and Hampshire have strong connections with all the armed services.

“These strong connections are reflected in our members, some of whom have served, some of whom have family who are currently serving and some of whom just want to ride to support the Poppy Appeal and the work of the Royal British Legion.

“The A27 Memorial Run, which we hope will become an annual event, allows us to pay our respects to serving and past members of all the armed forces in a highly visible way which we hope will continue to raise our profile in the County and raise funds for the Poppy Appeal.”