St Helens North MP David Baines Attends Annual Rugby League Remembrance Service
David Baines, MP for St Helens North, participated in today’s annual Rugby League Service of Remembrance held at the Cenotaph.
The ceremony, held at 11am on Friday, gathered senior figures from the six clubs set to compete in Saturday’s Challenge Cup Finals and the 1895 Cup Final at Wembley. Among them were representatives from St Helens, who are competing in the women’s final.
Organised by the UK Armed Forces Rugby League, the service included wreath-laying ceremonies by both the military and the Royal British Legion.
Representing the Rugby League All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), Mr Baines highlighted the special significance of this annual tradition within the sport:
“It’s an honour to be here to pay tribute to those who gave their lives,” he said. “This year we especially remember the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the courage and sacrifices made during the Second World War. It’s also poignant that today marks 81 years since the D-Day landings.”
Mr Baines described the event as a dignified and meaningful tribute. Whitehall was temporarily closed as fans, players, coaches, and officials from the competing clubs gathered to pay their respects.
The ceremony began with an introduction and prayers, followed by a two-minute silence at 11am.
A special tribute was made to Bill Forrest, Private 3660585, who died in action in Normandy on June 21, 1944, at the age of 30, shortly after the D-Day landings. He served with the South Lancashire Regiment’s first battalion and is commemorated at La Delivrande War Cemetery in Douvres, Normandy. Forrest also had a brief rugby league career, making four first-team appearances as a hooker for Warrington between August and October 1935.
Now a key tradition ahead of the Challenge Cup Finals, the Service of Remembrance offers the rugby league community a time for reflection and unity before the weekend’s excitement. The event concluded with prayers and the ceremonial bugle call, “The Rouse.”
RFL Chief Executive Tony Sutton also expressed his reverence for the occasion:
“Every year since joining the RFL, I’ve felt privileged to attend this service to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “This year, we are especially mindful of the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the heroism shown during the Second World War.”
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