Latest news with #BlindVeteransUK
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wales falls silent to mark VE day anniversary
A two-minute silence was held across Wales to remember those who fought in World War Two. At 12:00 BST, people across the country joined the national two minutes of silence to mark VE Day. Across Wales, events have been taking place to commemorate 80 years since the end of war in Europe. Beacons will be lit, family fun days and afternoon teas are taking place to celebrate. I partied outside Buckingham Palace on VE Day 101-year-old WW2 codebreakers reunite for VE Day Wales marks 80th anniversary of VE Day In Cardiff, Members of the Senedd observed the silence along with the rest of the UK. At a service at Christ Church in Swansea, four school groups from across the city performed songs including White Cliffs of Dover and Calon Lan. Veteran Richard Pelzer laid a wreath on behalf of Blind Veterans UK and veterans from more recent conflicts were also invited, with more than 40 in attendance. In Wrexham, events took place across the city with a service held in St Giles Church. A special assembly with afternoon tea to follow will be held in Ysgol Glan Gele, Abergele, Conwy. Pupils from Christchurch Primary School, who were part of the service in Swansea, shared how happy they were to meet some of the veterans. Millie said she had never seen a veteran before, and it was "so cool". While Duaa said: "It felt really special to be able to meet people who were in World War Two." Amélie said: "It was surprising they were so young. If it was still the war my siblings would have been in the army and it would have been very scary. "It gave me a different perspective." The Veterans and Community Hub's Models for Heroes group had a drop-in at the Labour and Social Club in Connah's Quay, Flintshire. The group presented numerous models of tanks and cake to mark the anniversary. In Newquay, Ceredigion, a service was held in the Memorial Hall with commemorative flag raising ceremony held after. There will be a lighting of Bonfire Beacon with viewing from Glyn Square at 21:30 BST. In Monmouthshire, the day started off with the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers flag raising, followed by a tree planting on the town field. In the afternoon, a public service will be held at the Monmouth Castle followed by a lighting of the Monmouth Landmark in the evening. The events taking taking place coincided with a thanksgiving service held at Westminster Abbey. The King and Queen, as well as the prime minister and other senior royals, were in attendance. Thousands of people will then gather for a concert at Horse Guards Parade to cap four days of marking the end of World War Two in Europe VE Day events recall the huge crowds of people who took to the streets on 8 May 1945 to sing, dance and rejoice after nearly six years of war.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'It was all over' - Colchester veteran, 104, talks about her memories of VE Day
'It was all over' - Colchester veteran, 104, talks about her memories of VE Day A COLCHESTER woman's VE-Day memories of cycling through town to celebrate the end of the war have been brought to life in a new exhibition. Blind Veterans UK released illustrations of veteran's memories as part of its After the Darkness campaign, which looks to recognise their service and raise funds for war heroes living with sight loss. Joan Harding, 104, from Colchester, served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during the Second World War. The ATS was a women's branch of the British Army which played a crucial role in non-combat duties such as telecommunications, driving, mechanics and operating anti-aircraft equipment. ADVERTISEMENT Hero - Joan Harding, 104 (Image: Richard Cannon) But that work came to a sudden end on May 8, 1945, when Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced the war in Europe had come to an end following Germany's surrender. It started out as a normal day at work for Joan before the news was announced. She said: 'I can't say I found out the war had ended at the exact moment, but certainly the exact day. "We all went in to do our work when we were told the news and sent home. 'My husband happened to be on leave at the time - he was in the London Rifle Brigade – so we went over to my mother and father's house. "We were crying, saying, 'There's no more killing!'" Celebration - Joan Harding riding her bike to the village (Image: Martin Impey/Blind Veterans UK) Joan immediately cycled to a village pub to celebrate the news with her husband. ADVERTISEMENT She said: "We went on the village pub and I was crying my eyes out, saying, 'I don't believe it! It's gone on too long!' "People were giving me drinks - one after the other - so, I suppose I must have been really very high on drinks. "I was crying with sheer happiness – everybody was happy. "It was almost as if they'd suddenly seen a rainbow wrapped around them – it was all over! "There were people lighting bonfires in the roads and we had to keep going round these people, so we really were going round and round and along a little way until we got home." Joan's story along with twelve other veteran's stories, illustrations and portraits are featured in a special exhibition at The Cartoon Museum in London, which runs until June 29.
ITV News
04-05-2025
- General
- ITV News
Former D-Day pilot from Stourbridge featured in VE Day exhibition by Blind Veterans UK
A former D-Day pilot is one of 13 partially-sighted or blind veterans who have had their memories of VE Day brought back to life in an exhibition. Charity Blind Veterans UK has released the illustrations, stories and photographs as part of its After the Darkness campaign, which looks to recognise their service and raise funds for war heroes living with sight loss. Among the veterans' memories of VE Day were humorous drunken tales — including a commander in a dinghy and a sailor stripping off on a crane — alongside more poignant stories, such as a fatal flight after the war ended. D-Day pilot John Haddock, 102, from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, who was stationed in Scotland when it was announced the conflict would end, remembered the celebrations of his sozzled squadron. Mr Haddock said his commanding officer – Max Aitken, the son of the wartime aircraft production minister Lord Beaverbrook, got into a water dinghy and 'launched' himself into the airfield's static water pool, while his men splashed him. He added: 'It was all very schoolboy but provided much hilarity at the time.' Three days later, his squadron flew Crown Prince Olav to Norway after five years in exile, he said. The watercolour illustrations were created by Martin Impey, known for his artwork interpreting one of Wilfred Owen's war poems, who said he 'jumped at the chance' to get involved. He went on: 'It's so important that we commemorate this moment as one of the last times as a nation that we can show love, respect, and appreciation to a generation who gave so much for us all. It was an honour to connect with these heroes and to illustrate their memories of VE Day.' Claire Rowcliffe, director of engagement at Blind Veterans UK, said: 'As darkness descends and veterans find themselves losing their independence, they can often feel isolated, helpless, and unable to cope. 'Luckily our charity is here to help them regain their confidence and independence so they can live the fulfilled, meaningful lives they so deserve. 'Each story is unique and not necessarily what one would expect. Yes, there was joy, jubilation, and partying in the streets, but there was also mourning for those who had been lost, quickly changing societal roles, and fear of the dreaded war in the Pacific.' The thirteen veterans' stories, illustrations, and portraits are featured in a special exhibition at The Cartoon Museum in London, which runs until June 29.
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Somerset man runs 10k for Blind Veterans UK after losing sight
A man who lost his sight to a rare disease is running 10k (6.21miles) to raise money for a charity that supports vision-impaired veterans. Wayne Pope, 44, from Bridgwater in Somerset, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition, in December 2022. The former Royal Navy seaman set off earlier and has already more than doubled his initial target of £500 for Blind Veterans UK, after they provided him with the support and equipment to restore his "confidence and sense of purpose". "The charity has given me back my independence to be the person I want to be. I would like to use my journey to help others receive the same support," he said. 'Life changed completely' The unpredictable condition worsens over time and can affect vision in a number of ways - including night blindness, trouble adjusting to light changes, difficulty seeing colours and narrowed peripheral vision. For Mr Pope, it manifests as tunnel view perspective with no peripheral vision, no colour and difficulty with depth perception. "My life changed completely when I got my diagnosis; it all came as a shock," he said."I'd walked into that [consultant's] office as an independent man and walked out knowing my life was going to change. "I now live each day with the sight I have, not knowing what I'll wake up with when I open my eyes." 'Life changing support' Mr Pope served in the Royal Navy for four and a half years as an able seaman warfare specialist on board HMS Chatham and HMS run, which starts and ends next to Worthing Pier, in West Sussex, takes place just days before the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May - marking the formal end of World War Two in Europe."Those soldiers, sailors and pilots had no choice, failure wasn't an option. They gave their lives – and many their sight – to secure our freedom," he said."I'm immensely proud that the money I raise by completing this challenge will ensure that veterans like them, and those who followed, will continue to receive life changing support as I have."Mr Pope is now pursuing his dream to participate in the London Marathon alongside other blind veterans in 2026.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Partially sighted and blind North East veterans have VE day memories brought to life
A North East veteran has become one of 13 partially sighted former servicemen and women to have their VE Day memories brought to life as the country marks 80 years since the end of WW2. Charity Blind Veterans UK has released the illustrations, stories and photographs as part of its After the Darkness campaign, which looks to recognise their service and raise funds for war heroes living with sight loss. Among the veterans' memories of VE Day were humorous drunken tales — including a commander in a dinghy and a sailor stripping off on a crane — alongside more poignant stories, such as a fatal flight after the war ended. Ken Smith, from Houghton Le Spring, who was drafted to Aberdeen just before Churchill announced the end of the war. (Image: Collect/Blind Veterans UK/PA Wire) One of the members included is Kenneth Smith, 98, of Houghton-le-Spring near Sunderland, who was a young Royal Navy stoker when the war ended. Ken was drafted to Aberdeen and remembered that everyone was so 'merry and happy – they were celebrating in the streets'. Mr Smith recalled hanging out of a window and waving a flag, probably with a drink in his hand. The next day, he was sent off to board a ship, taking newly liberated prisoners of war home to their families, and he recalled some 'terrible sights'. Ken Smith, from HOughton Le Spring, who was drafted to Aberdeen just before Churchill announced the end of the war. (Image: Richard Cannon/Blind Veterans UK/PA Wire) Mr Smith said: 'My worst experience was seeing the poor state those poor devils were in. How people can be so cruel in this world, I do not know.' He added: 'On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, I'll be thinking of my old mates who are no longer hanging about – the people I had trust in and who trusted me.' Ken's VE memories brought to life. (Image: Martin Impey/Blind Veterans UK/PA Wire) Another veteran to share his story was Arthur Harkness, 98, of Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear. Arthur started training in the Royal Army Service Corps days before VE Day and remembered celebrating in Sheffield, where he first met Nancy, his wife of 71 years. Mr Harkness said: 'It was just a chance meeting, but that's when it all started.' He added: 'I'll be thinking about her this VE Day.' 98-year-old Arthur Harkness, from Whitley Bay. (Image: Richard Cannon/Blind Veterans UK/PA Wire) Matt McKinnon-Pattison, 100, from Penrith in Cumbria, said he was behind enemy lines in the mountains of northern Italy when the war ended. He said: 'These things you didn't get told. It came through in drips and drabs, one way or another. Somebody would have a radio set and pick up a bit of news and then it would be passed down to you. 'There was no Army Colonel calling us all together and telling us, 'The war is now over'. That didn't happen.' The VE day memory of 98-year-old Arthur Harkness, from Whitley Bay. (Image: Martin Impey/Blind Veterans UK/PA Wire) He later joined the SAS, and his regiment was given an order to find Benito Mussolini and take him to a British base, but the Italian dictator had been killed before they got to him. The watercolour illustrations were created by Martin Impey, known for his artwork interpreting one of Wilfred Owen's war poems, who said he 'jumped at the chance' to get involved. He went on: 'It's so important that we commemorate this moment as one of the last times as a nation that we can show love, respect, and appreciation to a generation who gave so much for us all. It was an honour to connect with these heroes and to illustrate their memories of VE Day.' Claire Rowcliffe, director of engagement at Blind Veterans UK, said: 'As darkness descends and veterans find themselves losing their independence, they can often feel isolated, helpless, and unable to cope. Recommended: VE Day at 80: Events and celebrations in Darlington and County Durham Memorial Ferryhill Dambuster Ronald Batson and his brother 'Luckily, our charity is here to help them regain their confidence and independence so they can live the fulfilled, meaningful lives they so deserve. 'Each story is unique and not necessarily what one would expect. Yes, there was joy, jubilation, and partying in the streets, but there was also mourning for those who had been lost, quickly changing societal roles, and fear of the dreaded war in the Pacific.' The thirteen veterans' stories, illustrations, and portraits are featured in a special exhibition at The Cartoon Museum in London, which runs until June 29.
