A blind veteran said he will be full of pride and emotion when he marches at the Cenotaph in London this Remembrance Sunday for what he says will be the last time.

Tony Harbour, from Saltdean, will join more than 40 other blind veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-service men and women, in the capital in remembering the sacrifices of service men and women.

The 88-year-old joined the RAF Police in 1952 and was medically discharged as a corporal after nine years of service at various UK air stations including West Kirby, Melksham, Netheravon and Duxford and was also posted to Gibraltar. 

“I loved my time in the RAF and my service in Gibraltar had a big impact on my life,” he said.

“I was just 21 and I lived with a local family who I got back in touch with 30 years later. At the time one of the daughters was 12 years old. She is now a great grandma and like an adopted sister to me. We speak on the phone every week.”

Tony lost his sight later in life to glaucoma. After several unsuccessful operations, he was registered blind in 2009. Fortunately, Tony was already aware of Blind Veterans UK as he had been volunteering with the charity and escorting veterans to the Cenotaph in London for Remembrance since the 1990s. He started receiving support from the charity in 2012. 

“On the day I was told that I was blind, I didn’t feel anything,” he said.

“I thanked the doctor and left to go home. But I soon went into a deep hole; I became a nasty person who no longer wanted to live.

“I received counselling and turned my life around.

“Blind Veterans UK showed me there is life after sight loss which I now tell everyone as it is so true. You can lose your sight, but you’ve still got life and that is the most important thing.

“I am going to physically struggle to march at the Cenotaph this year and I think sadly it will be my last, but I will do it. It’ll be my 32nd year of attending as either a volunteer or as a blind veteran. In that time I’ve only missed it twice.

“It is hard to explain how it feels to be there on the day. When the band starts, I get a lump in my throat and occasionally tears roll down. My shoulders go back and my stomach in and I feel immense pride.”

Tony will also be laying a wreath at the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway War Memorial at Brighton Railway Station on Saturday.

The memorial honours the employees of the railway who fought in the First and Second World Wars.

“Those who fought for our freedom must never be forgotten, they gave their lives so we can be who we are today,” said Tony.

“It’s about remembering so many people including my father who fought in the First World War and fellow veterans who are no longer with us but were like brothers to me.”

If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, you can call 0800 389 7979 or visit blindveterans.org.uk/apply