Blind veteran to march at Cenotaph

John Cantwell joined the Royal Air Force in 1970

A blind veteran is preparing to march this Remembrance Sunday.

John Cantwell, 75, from Bodicote in Oxfordshire, will march at the Cenotaph in London as part of the national Remembrance Sunday commemorations, with more than 40 other blind veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK.

Mr Cantwell served 10 years in the Royal Air Force (RAF), before being diagnosed with a genetic condition, called Grönblad-Strandberg syndrome, which leads to blindness.

He has been receiving support from Blind Veterans UK since 2010.

During his time in the RAF, Mr Cantwell was stationed across the world.

He met his wife Elaine while he was stationed in Cyprus where she was an RAF nurse.

He described his time in the military as "very special" as it taught him "it’s not about where you are but who you’re with".

Discovering Blind Veterans UK helped Mr Cantwell to realise he was not alone, he said.

"I was surrounded and inspired by so many others who had gone on to do these amazing things," he said.

“I was given lots of simple bits of equipment like magnifiers that made a huge difference. I was also trained and given a computer that has made a massive difference to my independence.”

Mr Cantwell and his wife have been hosting a lunch club for fellow blind veterans for more than five years and this year he’s been away with the charity for summer camps and wellbeing activities.

Chief executive of Blind Veterans UK, Adrian Bell, said: “At Remembrance we commemorate the brave sacrifice of all those who lost their lives for their country.

“I’m proud to be marching alongside John and our contingent of over 40 blind veterans at the Cenotaph this year, and I know there will be many more attending moving ceremonies in communities up and down the country."