Swindon Blind Veterans to March at the Cenotaph This Remembrance Sunday
Two blind veterans from Swindon will proudly take part in the national Remembrance Sunday march at the Cenotaph in London, supported by Blind Veterans UK. Peter Kay, 69, and his friend Bob Clarke, 61, will join around 40 other blind veterans in honoring fallen service members.
Peter Kay’s Service and Journey
Peter Kay spent 18 years in the Territorial Army, working as a workshop manager with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. His service included participation in training exercises such as Operation Lionheart in 1984. In 2020, at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, Peter lost his sight.
“Within a week, I’d lost my sight completely and made the decision to go for private treatment, which diagnosed optic nerve damage,” said Peter. “I was black blind at first with no sight at all, but fortunately, with medication, I got a little bit of my sight back.”
Bob Clarke’s Career and Vision Loss
Bob Clarke joined the RAF in 1981 at age 16 and served for ten years as an aircraft engineer. After leaving the military, he continued working in the aircraft industry and pursued a passion for archaeology. In 2019, he was diagnosed with glaucoma and lost his vision suddenly.
Support and Remembrance
Both men continue to receive assistance from Blind Veterans UK, enabling them to take part in commemorations and maintain connections within the veteran community.
Author’s Summary
Two blind veterans from Swindon, Peter Kay and Bob Clarke, will march at the Cenotaph this Remembrance Sunday, honoring service and resilience despite their shared experience of sight loss.