Swindon blind veterans to march at the Cenotaph this Remembrance Sunday

Swindon Blind Veterans to March at the Cenotaph This Remembrance Sunday

Two blind veterans from Swindon are set to join the Remembrance Sunday march at the Cenotaph in London. Supported by Blind Veterans UK, Peter Kay, 69, and his friend Bob Clarke, 61, will take part alongside about 40 other blind veterans as part of the national commemorations.

Peter Kay’s Story

Peter Kay served in the Territorial Army for 18 years as a workshop manager with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and took part in training operations, including Operation Lionheart in 1984. He lost his sight in 2020, during the early days of the Covid-19 lockdown, after being diagnosed with cataracts and later discovering optic nerve damage.

“Within a week, I’d lost my sight completely and made the decision to go for private treatment, which diagnosed optic nerve damage,” said Peter. “I was black blind at first with no sight at all, but fortunately, with medication, I got a little bit of my sight back.”

Bob Clarke’s Journey

Bob Clarke joined the RAF in 1981 at the age of 16 and worked as an aircraft engineer for ten years. After his service, he continued in the aviation industry and also pursued his interest in archaeology. In 2019, he was diagnosed with glaucoma and lost his sight suddenly.

Together at the Cenotaph

Both men, who have found support through Blind Veterans UK, will proudly march together this Remembrance Sunday, representing those who have served despite losing their sight.

Author’s summary: Two resilient Swindon veterans, Peter Kay and Bob Clarke, will honor Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph, showcasing courage and camaraderie despite blindness.

Swindon Advertiser — 2025-11-07