AN 83-year-old blind ex-soldier from Crewe will be remembering friends and family when he takes part in the Remembrance Sunday march with Blind Veterans UK.


Derek Everall will be marching to the Cenotaph in London with more than 100 other representatives of Blind Veterans UK.


Derek, who was only 18 when he did his National Service, joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in September 1949.


He said: “A lot of people moaned about National Service but I thought you should just behave, do as you’re told and get on with it.


“It was strange being away from home but I made friends and there were good times.”


Derek started to have problems with his vision in 2008 and just before Christmas he was rushed to hospital and endured laser treatment and needles but became completely blind in the left eye and nearly blind in his right.


Derek says his loss of vision had a devastating impact on his day-to-day life.


He added: “Housework and meals became very difficult but you find a way to carry on. I used to love playing outdoor bowls a lot but I couldn’t do that when I lost my sight.”


“I went to the Blind Veterans UK centre and they gave me lots of support including setting me up with a reading device for my newspaper.”


On Sunday 9 November, Derek will be one of over 100 vision impaired veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK who will take part in the national Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph in London.


Derek said: “I’m looking forward to joining the march with Blind Veterans UK. I think it’s so important to remember those who have gone, and the difficult times people in the Forces have faced.


“I shall be thinking of my uncle who died at Mount Casino in Italy when I was about 10.


“I don’t know the other veterans on the march so it will be a great chance to meet other blind veterans.”