Blind veteran calls on other veterans who have lost their sight to contact a charity that has helped him

A blind World War II veteran from Peebles is featured in a campaign to recruit more beneficiaries for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for visually impaired veterans.

 John McOwan, who is 101, credits the charity with improving his quality of life and calls on other veterans to check if they are eligible for his support.

John joined the Territorial Army at the age of 18. A year later, World War II broke out.

At only 19 years old, John was transferred to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers of the British Army and entered the war.

During the conflict, John was a desert rat and was stationed in the Middle East, Cairo, Italy and took part in the Normandy landings. In 1946 he was discharged from the British Army as a Sergeant.

John lost his sight about eight years ago due to macular degeneration and he has pseudophakia (false lens) in both eyes. John has no vision in his left eye and only vision in his right eye. 

John said: “I can still see to get but I can’t recognize faces. There is a fog that covers everything but I don’t let it get me down.

In 2014 John discovered Blind Veterans UK and made contact with the charity.

He said: “I visited the charity center in Brighton for a week of initiation and it was an unforgettable experience. It was truly a wonderful week and I discovered so much that the charity could offer.

“Connecting with other veterans and having people around me who have a common past with whom I can share stories and jokes has made me a happier person.

“The charity doesn’t just provide you with equipment and let you fend for yourself, it teach you how to use it and give you advice.

“From personal experience I can say that the help I received from Blind Veterans UK really made a big difference in my quality of life.

“Without the charity and the equipment provided as a iPad, lined paper and magnifying glass, I would never have completed the recent project I undertook to write my memoir.

In 2019 John joined a group of veterans on an organized trip to Normandy to mark 75 years since the D-Day landings. This trip brought back many wartime memories.

A few months later saw the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the introduction of lockdown restrictions. This made John wonder how he would spend his time.

John added: “Blind Veterans UK as well as other veterans charities came to my rescue. They encouraged me to keep in touch with other veterans by phone or internet. I was also encouraged to writing a book that was the seed that germinated my decision to write about my experiences during World War II. 

“It kept me busy and got me through the lockdown period. I was quite happy to write from home and found the days weren’t long enough. 

Blind Veterans UK provided John with the gear he needed and supported him throughout the trip. John also teamed up with a Blind Veterans UK volunteer who spent over 120 hours typing John’s handwritten notes.

“It may seem like a small thing to some people, but writing my memoirs was a huge thing for me personally and I’m grateful to the charity for helping me get there.

“Blind Veterans UK has has enabled me to live a fuller life and I would advise anyone who thinks they might be eligible for their support to go there and find out what they can do for you.

While Blind Veterans UK initially cared for blind veterans on active duty, they now help veterans regardless of the cause of their sight loss.

Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans across the country, but knows that tens of thousands more still need its support to rebuild their lives after losing their sight. Their campaign is to find and recruit these men and women.

If you, or someone you know, has served in the armed forces, including national service, and are currently experiencing vision loss, please contact us. Call 0800 389 7979 or visit blindveterans.org.uk/support