A blind second world war veteran from Bedfordshire is preparing to march at the Cenotaph in London this Remembrance Sunday (9/11) with the charity Blind Veterans UK.
Michael Woods, 101 and from Dunstable, will be marching at the Cenotaph once again as part of the national Remembrance Sunday commemorations with around 40 other blind veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.
As the only Second World War veteran marching with the group, Michael will be leading the contingent as he did last year when he marched at the Cenotaph for the first time.
Michael was called up for war service in 1943, joining the Royal Air Force. He passed through RAF Cardington and underwent basic training at Skegness, before being selected for training as an aircraft mechanic. He served at RAF Coningsby and at RAF Skellingthorpe, where he was with 61 Squadron. He worked primarily on Lancaster Bombers.
Michael says:
“I used to service all the engines and run the Lancaster out. I remember one night we were all ready to go and then after one of the Lancasters had taken off he fired a red ferry light which is the sign of danger. He landed straight away but as soon as he did it blew up with about 10 tonnes of bombs on it. There was a great crater but the miracle of it was that the rear gunner survived.
“As a mechanic I wasn’t meant to be in the planes flying but used to do so quite often. It was illegal of course but I remember that the crew would always say that if the mechanic is happy to fly with us then he must be pretty confident in the plane!”
After the war Michael was sent to Palestine where he saw out his service. He is particularly proud of having driven down to Egypt to have a very intimate tour of the pyramids and Valley of the Kings. He was discharged in 1947 with the rank of leading aircraftman (LAC).
Michael lost his sight much later in life due to age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. He says:
“My sight started to go gradually because of the glaucoma at first but I remember having just driven back from the west country, I got pneumonia and had to go to hospital and after that my vision had got a lot worse.
“I was driving until I was 94 but couldn’t do so after that. That’s the thing I missed the most. I’d driven since I was a young man in the RAF and it felt like I’d lost my independence.”
Fortunately, he found out about Blind Veterans UK and started receiving support from the charity in 2020.
He says:
“Joining Blind Veterans UK has been ever so helpful to me. Every month or so we meet up as a group in the local area and all the staff are so helpful and kind. They really are amazing and can’t do enough for you.”
Michael will be marching with his fellow blind veterans at the Cenotaph this Remembrance Sunday. He says:
“What an experience it was to march last year, I’ve never felt anything quite like it. The crowds cheering for us as we made our way around made me feel ten feet tall.
“I was so proud to have finally marched at the Cenotaph in my 100th year. I’m 101 now and I will keep marching with Blind Veterans UK for as long as I’m able to.”
Chief Executive of Blind Veterans UK, Adrian Bell, says:
“Earlier this year we commemorated 80 years since VE Day and VJ Day, milestones that remind us of the courage and sacrifice of those who helped secure peace in Europe and the Pacific.
“This Remembrance Sunday, I’m proud to march alongside Michael and all our veterans, including those who served in those defining moments, and all who have served since.
“We honour the men and women who gave their lives for our country, and we will remember them.”
Michael’s story forms part of Blind Veterans UK’s 2025 Remembrance campaign, “Honour their service, Support their future.” Through the campaign the charity aims to salute the service of veterans from the Second World War, 80 years on, and also raise awareness of younger veterans who gave years of their life to serving this country and are now battling blindness.
Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans like Michael, but knows there are many thousands more who still need its support to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
Michael says:
“If you have served in the armed forces and are experiencing vision problems, even if your service was many years ago like mine, I would really encourage you to get on to Blind Veterans UK.”
If you, or someone you know, served in the Armed Forces, including National Service, and are now struggling with sight loss, then please get in touch. Call 0800 389 7979 or visit blindveterans.org.uk/apply
