Swapping Parachuting from Planes for Driving LNER Trains: LNER Celebrates Armed Forces Week

Charlie Wilkinson, based at London King’s Cross station, joined the railway 10 years ago as a train driver. Clocking up thousands of driving miles, he is now a Driver Team Manager for LNER, helping to train up the next generation of drivers on the East Coast Main Line.

However, before his career in the driving seat, Charlie served for a decade in the British Army, latterly working alongside the Parachute Regiment as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade.

Talking of his military service, Charlie explained: “Before joining the railway, I served with the British Army as a Royal Military Policeman. My military career took me around the world, with deployments to Kenya, Afghanistan, Iraq, and more.

“I held specialist roles during my service, including close protection and being part of the elite Para Provost. I qualified to serve alongside the Parachute Regiment and spent my latter years jumping out of planes as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade.

“It’s been quite a journey, from parachuting out of planes to driving trains.”

LNER has a strong military connection. It is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant which means it is committed to supporting armed forces personnel and their families in employment.

Recently, it also safely transported 100 Coldstream Guards from London to Berwick-Upon-Tweed for a celebratory parade to mark the regiment’s 375^th anniversary.

Today, former service personnel work across every department of the train operator’s business, from directors to frontline colleagues, cyber security and train drivers.

In line with Armed Forces Week, LNER has created a new colleague network – ‘Reveille’ – which is a space for any colleagues with military connections to come together and support each other.

Driver Team Manager, Charlie Wilkinson, in front of 91111, 'For The Fallen'.

Charlie added: “Once you’re part of the military family, it never truly leaves you, it becomes part of who you are. It’s important for LNER, and other organisations, to recognise Armed Forces Week and Reservists Day because it shows genuine support and respect for current and former service personnel.

“As part of the new Reveille network, it’s been incredibly rewarding to meet veterans, reservists, cadet adult volunteers, and military supporters from across the business, from London all the way up to Aberdeen. It reminded me that the values and camaraderie we shared in service still live on, just in a different form.”

As a visible sign of respect, LNER has three specially-designed military liveries on its fleet – ‘For the Fallen’ (91111), ‘Battle of Britian Memorial Flight’ (91110), and ‘Thank You’ (800111).

LNER Azuma 800111, 'Thank You', at London King's Cross station.

Despite his feet now being firmly on solid ground, Charlie sees many similarities between his current career and his military service.

He explained: “My connection to the Armed Forces has deeply shaped both my professional outlook and personal values, which I bring with me to LNER every day. Key British Army values such as self-discipline, integrity, respect for others, and teamwork, alongside skills I developed, such as time management and staying composed under pressure, are directly transferable to the railway.

“My Armed Forces background has given me a strong foundation for career progression and a clear sense of purpose. I’m proud to contribute to an organisation that values structure, service, and people.”