Remembrance Sunday 2024 in pictures

Published on 13 Nov 2024

As a charity supporting thousands of ex-Servicemen and women, the National Day of Remembrance is one of the most important events in our annual calendar.

As ever, this year marked memorable anniversaries for our veterans, not least the 80th anniversary of key WWII battles in 1944 and the 25th anniversary of Kosovo.

Once again, a proud group of over 80 blind veterans and guides took part in the televised march to the Cenotaph in London.

Our marching contingent preparing to set off on horse guards parade — Our contingent at this year's march at the Cenotaph

The oldest of our group joining the march in London this year was 100-year-old Michael Woods. Michael was due to be joined by fellow WWII blind veteran George Chandler.

Sadly, D-Day veteran George passed away just weeks before the parade. Two of his granddaughters marched with us in his honour, carrying pictures of their hero grandfather.

D-Day veteran George Chandler's Granddaughters carrying his photos and marching in his memory

Our CEO Adrian Bell, Member Michael Woods holding our wreath and his son Eddie

Blind veteran Ron holding a white and wearing medals standing with staff member Glynis

Veterans, staff and family members gathered at the Horses Guard Parade in London

Hear from Michael after he marched

“What an amazing experience, I’ve never felt anything quite like it. The crowds cheering for us as we made our way around made me feel ten feet tall. I’m so proud to have finally marched here in my 100th year. And it was all the sweeter knowing that my wife and family were watching me on TV.”

Michael, blind veteran

Remembrance at our centres

Our two centres in Llandudno and Rustington both hosted special military weeks for those staying with us. The themed military weeks included visits to museums and military bases, tea dances, equipment demonstrations, and formal military dinners.

Our Llandudno centre had the theme of the 80th anniversary of D-Day and displayed portraits of D-Day veterans throughout the week. We were also proud to host second world war blind veterans Mary and Arthur who both laid wreaths at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in the town centre.

They were joined by Afghanistan veteran Anthony and the wreaths layers led over 20 blind veterans and staff representing the charity at the Llandudno march.

Blind veterans Anthony, Arthur and Mary all laid wreaths at the Llandudno War Memorial

Our Rustington centre kept our historical connections in Sussex alive as a wreath and crosses of remembrance were laid on the Garden of Remembrance in Bear Road Cemetery close to our former centre in Brighton.

The memorial bears the name and cap badge of 350 veterans at the large St Dunstan's plot - our former charity name. A cross was also placed beside each of the 230 individual headstones.

102-year-old blind veteran Nancy laid a wreath at our war memorial in Rustington and blind veterans, staff, and volunteers marched proudly through the village.

Blind veteran Nancy preparing to lay her wreath at our Rustington centre

Individual Headstones At Bear Road Cemetery in Brighton

Blind Veterans UK Contingent At Rustington Village Remembrance Parade

Bear Road Cemetery, veterans at the Rustington village parade and blind veteran Nancy with her wreath

Watch our veterans march at Remembrance parades in Rustington, Llandudno and London

Blind veterans marked Remembrance across the country

A blind veteran standing with two staff members in front of a wall of poppies

Blind Veterans And Supporters At Brighton Station On Armistice Day

Four blind veterans and another man who is holding a wreath of poppies

Veterans and staff in Scotland, Brighton and Northern Ireland at their local events

We’re proud to say that our blind veterans took part in events across the whole country. Over 50 wreaths were laid on behalf of the charity across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Many veterans at events across the country laid wreaths as part of our Gift a Wreath campaign.