Peacehaven veteran to march at Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday

Terry Bullingham, from Peacehaven, will join more than 40 other blind veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-service men and women.

Terry, now 78, joined the Royal Navy in 1960. He was in the Falklands on board HMS Antrim on May 21, 1982, when four Argentine Skyhawk fighter-bombers passed over the ship, dropping a pattern of eight 1,000lb bombs.

Terry was hit by a cannon shell during the attack and was treated first on board the Canberra and then operated on once he arrived on the SS Uganda, the hospital ship.

Nurse Nicci Pugh said she remembered Terry as being “incredibly stoic” as her team battled - but failed - to save his sight.

“When you first lose your sight it’s like being taken back into infancy; you can’t get around,” he said.

By autumn 1982, Terry had found Blind Veterans UK and had begun his rehabilitation, learning to type, read and write Braille, and use a long cane.

He was inspired by the blind First and Second World War veterans he met.

A portrait of Terry Bullingham (Image: Richard Cannon)

“I thought, if you can crack it, I’m certainly going to,” he said.

“They had overcome such challenges in their lives.

“The camaraderie, together with the encouragement and support from Blind Veterans UK, kept me positive and I found I was able to achieve more each day.

“I simply wouldn’t have survived without their support.”

Since then, Terry has had an impressive career, including working as a museum information officer, a social worker and a lecturer.

He thanked the charity for restoring his confidence and independence in the early days and said he would always remember those who did not make it back from the war.

“I want to share my experiences of this wonderful organisation and their commitment to providing lifelong support to so many,” he said.

Terry with a picture of his younger self (Image: Richard Cannon)

“With this year being the 40th anniversary of the Falklands, I’ll be thinking of those who didn’t make it back, especially those men we lost on HMS Glamorgan two days before the end of the war. I knew some of them very well and they will be in my thoughts on Remembrance Sunday.

“Blind Veterans UK changed my life for ever. So I would say to any blind veterans out there, just pick up the phone and get in touch. The comradeship is what it’s all about. You’ll meet others in the same boat as yourself and I guarantee you’ll never look back.”

If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, get in touch with Blind Veterans UK by calling 0800 389 7979 or by visiting blindveterans.org.uk/support.

While Blind Veterans UK initially cared for veterans blinded in active service, today it helps veterans no matter what caused their sight loss.