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SAME SERVICE, DIFFERENT NAME: Poppy Cabs renamed Cabs for Veterans after Royal British Legion name challenge
Poppy Cabs, the volunteer taxi initiative that has transported veterans free of charge across London on Remembrance Sunday for more than 15 years, has been renamed Cabs for Veterans following a challenge from the Royal British Legion over its name and logo.
The service was founded in 2009 by a small group of licensed London taxi drivers. Each Remembrance Sunday, participating cabbies give up their time and use their taxis to transport veterans between London’s mainline railway stations, military clubs, the Cenotaph and other commemorative events.
According to the organisation, the Royal British Legion challenged the use of the word ‘Poppy’ in the Poppy Cabs name and logo in 2025, citing its intellectual property rights. Discussions subsequently took place between the Legion and Poppy Cabs coordinator Mike Hughes, but an agreement allowing the initiative to continue using the name and logo was not reached. The service was consequently rebranded Cabs for Veterans in July 2026.
Hughes said the decision had been difficult for those involved in the long-running initiative.
“This has been incredibly upsetting for everyone involved. Poppy Cabs had become a much-loved and respected part of Remembrance Sunday and having to change a name that means so much to so many people has been heartbreaking,” he said.
Hughes stressed that organisers continued to respect the work of the Royal British Legion and regarded the two organisations as sharing the objective of supporting former members of the Armed Forces. He said donations connected with the initiative had also raised thousands of pounds for both the Royal British Legion and the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans.
Despite the rebrand, there will be no change to the core service. Volunteer London taxi drivers will continue providing free journeys to veterans attending Remembrance Sunday events in the capital.
“While our name is changing, everything else remains exactly the same. Our wonderful volunteer taxi drivers will continue to give their time freely, and we will continue to ensure veterans can travel with dignity to the events that mean so much to them,” Hughes said.
The operation has developed into a significant annual mobilisation for the London taxi trade. Organisers say hundreds of veterans use the service each Remembrance Sunday, with participating taxi drivers collectively covering thousands of miles. Friends and relatives of drivers also help coordinate veterans and assist with transport arrangements during the day.
Dick Goodwin, Vice President of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, criticised the circumstances surrounding the change, describing the development as “incredibly short-sighted”.
Goodwin highlighted the established presence of London taxis during the annual commemorations, including the sight of cabs assembled around Westminster as the two-minute silence begins.
“For more than 15 years, Poppy Cabs has become one of the most cherished traditions of Remembrance Sunday,” Goodwin said. “The sole purpose has been to help veterans get to the Cenotaph with dignity and respect so they can honour their fallen comrades.”
He also questioned the approach taken to the naming dispute, arguing that the taxi initiative had worked alongside rather than against the Royal British Legion.
“The name may have changed, but our mission has not,” Hughes said. “We remain as committed as ever to ensuring that every veteran who wishes to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday can do so with the dignity, comfort and respect they deserve.”
“For more than 15 years, Poppy Cabs has become one of the most cherished traditions of Remembrance Sunday,” Goodwin said. “The sole purpose has been to help veterans get to the Cenotaph with dignity and respect so they can honour their fallen comrades.”
