Blind Second World War veteran to visit Battle of Britain Memorial

Ken, who is 99-years-old, served as a bomb aimer and nose gunner onboard Lancasters and Wellingtons during the conflict.

He will join a group of blind veterans visiting the memorial sat upon the cliffs in Capel-le-Ferne near Folkstone on 21 October. It is dedicated to the heroic and selfless men who won the Battle of Britain in 1940.

Ken’s son John said:

“This will be dad’s first visit to the memorial but we have visited the Bomber Command Memorial at Green Park in London together which was a fantastic experience and very moving. Dad suffers with dementia and therefore lives in the moment but when he is there he will very much enjoy it.”

Just a week after the visit, Ken, who shares his time between living with his two sons in Kent and Carlisle, will celebrate his 100th birthday.

Three years ago Ken’s eyesight began to deteriorate. He has glaucoma in both eyes and by July 2021 the optician told his family that he should be registered as blind.

Ken is able to see light and dark and can make out shapes but nothing more.

His son John said:

“My dad is the most remarkable man and nothing, including the loss of his eyesight, seems to phase him. He is one of the kindest and friendliest men I know and he takes everything with good humour.

“The loss of his sight has put a lot more pressure on the family though. Dad first moved in with us seven years ago and at first we were able to leave him for the day while we went out but his needs began to get greater and we now never leave him for more than an hour.”

Earlier this year Ken’s family were made aware of our charity and Ken began being supported by us in July.

John said:

“Blind Veterans UK has been a huge support to us as a family, we enjoy events that are put on and we are able to meet other families who are going through the same thing. It’s a great comfort knowing others are there and we have Henry, my dad’s Community Support Worker, to help us with ideas. Dad has been provided with an audio player so he can listen to his music which is a great help.”

Henry is one of our Community Support Workers and has been involved in organising the visit to the Battle of Britain Memorial. He said:

“Trips like these are an opportunity for us to give well deserved recognition to the service that our blind veterans gave to the country.

“Our blind veterans are often isolated and cannot easily go out to socialise; arranging events where they can meet each other and be comfortable and safe, is one of the key ways in which we support veterans such as Ken.”