A BLIND veteran from Malvern will march in the annual Remembrance Day commemorations at the Cenotaph in London this Sunday, November 12.
William Turner, 67, who joined the Royal Navy after leaving school at 15, serving as a radar operator, a diver and in the helicopter air crew, will join more than 100 other blind veterans.
They will be supported by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-servicemen and women.
William served in the Special Forces from 1976 to 1983, during which time he toured several combat zones, including Northern Ireland and The Falklands. William retired from the services as a Corporal.
William gained his pilot’s licence and became both a flying and diving instructor in the Royal Navy – two roles he held until he lost his sight.
He said marching on Sunday was fitting as Remembrance was a massive part of his life.
“We lost so many people in the Second World War. I personally lost family.
“It’s a time to express my gratitude for the people who’ve gone before me.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have marched before and it’s a privilege to be part of what I consider an integral part of British society.
“It’s such a well-run event. I’m just hoping I don’t step on anybody in front of me.”
Following his military career, William spent time working for both the fire service and police and embarked on tours of Bosnia and Kosovo as part of a UN drug enforcement team, before sailing solo around the world and maintaining his exceptionally active lifestyle.
William suffers from glaucoma and first began receiving the free lifelong support of Blind Veterans UK in 2014.
The charity has also helped William excel at his latest passion painting.
“Seeking Blind Veterans UK’s support has been the best thing that could have happened to me.
“I have carried my easel up the Malvern Hills just to sit there and paint.
“It’s just fantastic and I often find myself getting carried away and painting into the early hours of the morning,” added William.
Despite not having painted since school, William has exhibited a range of his work in a number of venues, including Westminster Abbey and the British Embassy in Kosovo.
The chance for William and other blind veterans to march at the Cenotaph has been made possible by Specsavers stores around the UK.
Maj Gen (Rtd) Nick Caplin CB, the chief executive of Blind Veterans UK, said: “Remembrance Sunday is always a very poignant time for our blind veterans and it is fantastic Specsavers are able to support them to get to march at the Cenotaph.
“Today, Blind Veterans UK supports more blind and vision-impaired veterans than ever before in the charity’s history and we have set an ambitious target to double the number of veterans we support in the next five years.”
Anyone who knows someone who has served in the armed forces or national service and now has severe sight loss can find out more about how the charity could help by visiting blindveterans.org.uk or by calling 0800 389 7979.
