On Saturday 7th October 2023, thousands of motorcyclists from across the UK and beyond made their annual ‘Ride to the Wall’ pilgrimage to the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, the Nation’s year-round place to Remember. 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. Most of the riders arrived in convoy after departing from one of eleven designated start locations around the country. It was estimated on the day that in excess of 6,500 bikes had taken part. It is an important charity event which last year raised over £1.5m to support the National Memorial Arboretum and all it does for remembrance of not only the armed forces, but may other organisations that wish to recognise those no longer with us.
This collection of photographs was taken on the day and displays some of the characters in attendance from the veteran and biker communities.
