Sadness of blind Peterborough veteran as Covid means he will miss Cenotaph parade

Jim Sexton was due to be marching at the Cenotaph as part of the national Remembrance Sunday commemorations this weekend with more than 100 other blind veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

However, the pandemic has meant that the service and march will be drastically reduced this year and this has prevented Jim and other veterans who are at greater risk from Covid-19 from being able to join.

Jim joined the Army in 1942. He initially joined the Manchester Regiment, then transferred to the 2nd Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, serving in Algeria, Italy and Greece.

In 1945, Jim retrained as a cook in Athens and became part of the Catering Corps until he was discharged in 1947 as a corporal.

Jim says: “Being in the Army was a brilliant experience for me. I come from an Army family and I honestly believe there’s nothing like the camaraderie of Service life.”

When Jim left the Army he became a storeman for Peter Brotherhoods, and he lost his right eye in an accident in the 1950s.

Much later he developed age-related macular degeneration in his left eye.

Fortunately, Jim found out about Blind Veterans UK after hearing about them through the local council and has been supported by the charity since 2015.

He says: “Blind Veterans UK have made a huge difference to my life. The training and equipment like the special adapted tablet I’ve been given and shown how to use means that I can keep in touch with friends.”

Alongside equipment and training, Jim says the thing that has made the biggest difference since joining Blind Veterans UK is the friends he has made and camaraderie that has returned to his life.

He says: “I’ve made lots of great friends. Last year I arranged to visit the Blind Veterans UK centre in Brighton for a holiday at the same time as my friend Bob. It was at the time of the D-Day anniversary and Bob was there so the two of us went up to HMS Belfast for a special event.

“Even during lockdown they’ve been there for me. I’ve had a weekly call with my Community Support Worker who’s always there for me when I need her. I’m fairly independent but I know that there are others in more tricky situations who they’ve supported a great deal during the pandemic.”

Although not marching in London Jim and other blind veterans will have the opportunity to get together virtually in ‘listen and join in’ parties.

This will help to keep isolated blind veterans connected at such an important time. He says: “At Remembrance I think of both my dad and grandad who fought during the Battle of the Somme as well as the brother my dad lost during the First World War.

“It’s certainly going to be a very different one this year. I was terribly disappointed not to be able to go but I’ll be enjoying it all on TV. I think it will be lower key than usual but still very moving nonetheless and an opportunity to remember all the boys we’ve lost.”

Blind Veterans UK was founded more than 100 years ago to support those blinded in the First World War. Now, the charity supports veterans regardless of when they served or how they lost their sight. Throughout the pandemic the charity has supported veterans, particular those who are most vulnerable.

Chief Executive of Blind Veterans UK, Major General (Rtd) Nick Caplin CB says: “This year will be a Remembrance like no other and it’s such a shame that veterans like Jim won’t be marching proudly at the Cenotaph.

“More than 90% of the blind veterans we support are over 70 and so most at risk from Covid-19.

“Our immediate concerns continue to be working quickly to help those who are most vulnerable - whether they need food delivered, medication from their pharmacy or a friendly voice over the phone.

“The isolation caused by Covid and experienced by our blind veterans can be just as harmful as the virus itself. That’s why we will be doing all we can to ensure they remain connected to each other and the outside world through the Remembrance period and beyond.”

Visit blindveterans.org.uk to learn more about the charity and how you can support its vital work.