Blind veteran will remember the fallen

A blind veteran from Hampshire will be one of many people remembering the fallen at war memorials this Remembrance Sunday.

Graham Grange, from Southampton, joined the Coldstream Guards as a musician in 1962, playing the trombone and violin at ceremonial events, including Trooping the Colour.

Awarded a music scholarship to Winchester College when he was 11, he joined the Army because it gave him to opportunity to play music professionally.

The 77-year-old has been supported by the Blind Veterans UK charity since 2010 and has a guide dog, Lylah.

Mr Grange began to lose his sight aged 50 and was diagnosed with macular degeneration.

“One day, I found I was no longer able to read and that is the thing I miss the most. I’m still able to play the piano though as my hands instinctively know where to go. As long as I start in the right place then I end in the right place,” he said.

“I can no longer see anything clearly; I am aware that objects are near me but there is no clarity.”

He will be remembering those who died serving in the armed forces.

“Remembrance Day is a time of deep reflection. Remembering the very brave souls who fought, who died, and who gave their all to give us our freedom. Without their bravery and sacrifice, we wouldn’t be living the life we are today," Mr Grange said.

“We owe it to all those people to remember.”

He said he has received "invaluable support" from the charity over the last 14 years.

"The moral support they provide is just as important to me as the material items that help me practically such as a reader that enables me to read my own post," Mr Grange said.

"The encouragement, care and interest from the staff who work at the charity has been my mainstay. I live on my own but I know if I’m at my wits' end, I can talk to someone and they will be kind enough to listen.”

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