A West Midlands blind veteran has become the first female Standard Bearer for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, and will be proudly marching with the charity, this Remembrance Sunday (08/11) in Manchester.
Simy Martin, 59 and from Sutton Coldfield, will be marching in Manchester as part of the city’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square. The occasion will be Simy’s first official Standard Bearer duty for the charity.
In addition to the Remembrance Day parade, blind veterans will also gather for a short service of Remembrance outside Manchester Piccadilly Train Station on Saturday 7 November at 2pm. The service will take place next to Blind Veterans UK’s “The Lads” statue.
Simy says:
“It is a great honour to be able to bear the Standard for Blind Veterans UK. The training has been quite difficult, there’s been much more to learn than I anticipated, and the Standard itself is 9ft long and extremely heavy. I’ve been practicing in my garden as I don’t want to make any errors and let people down.
“Remembrance will be my first official event, and I know I’ll feel very proud. It is a true accolade. Remembrance is an emotional time; it’s a moment of quiet reflection to honour the service and sacrifice of those who have lost their lives. During Remembrance, I think about relatives who were in the wars and of my father who is no longer with us but I know he’ll be watching down from the clouds, and I would like to think he’ll be proud of me.”
Simy’s military journey began when she joined the Territorial Army band of the 5th Royal Regiment of Fusiliers at the age of 17 playing the clarinet. After two years with the TA, Simy joined the regular Army and served for six years in the Woman’s Royal Army Corps as a clerk. She says:
“I grew up in a military family, my dad served in the Army, so military life felt like a natural path for me. My service did me the world of good as I was quiet as a mouse growing up but the Army brought me out of my shell and built up my confidence.”
After the Army, Simy went on to join the police as a firearms officer before moving into nursing. Alongside her professional roles she also undertook charity work abroad with Raleigh International in Belize.
Simy’s life changed in 2007 when, while on holiday in India, she woke up one morning with blurred and double vision. She says:
“I initially thought it was a reaction to my malaria medication, but I went to see my doctor when I got home and was sent to the hospital. After months of investigations, I was diagnosed with a rare degenerative eye condition. I was only 40 at the time and was scared for my future. I went away and lived in a bubble for three months, but I told myself that I would be ok as I still had my sense of humour.
“My vision gradually got worse and I lost my driving licence which took away my independence and eventually, while I was still in my 40s, I had to give up nursing which was the career I loved. In the last few months, my sight has got a lot worse; I can now only see big objects like a bus, but I can’t see the bus number and I can see a person, but I don’t recognise who it is.”
In 2024, Simy was introduced to Blind Veterans UK by a friend and began to receive support from the charity. She says: “The charity has transformed my life. I’ve received rehabilitation including learning kitchen skills and cane training, been provided with specialist equipment such as magnifiers and talking CCTV, I’ve had emotional support and I’ve made friendships while staying at the charity’s centre.
“I was a very active person but thought I’d never be able to go sailing again or take part in sports but through the charity I’ve learned new techniques and ways to adapt my hobbies such as sewing, knitting and gardening. I’ve taken part in blind tennis, sailing, archery and activity weeks. I’m determined to find ways to continue doing the things I love.”
Simy’s story forms part of Blind Veterans UK’s 2026 Remembrance campaign, ‘When blind veterans can’t march alone, we march with them.’
For many ex-Service men and women living with sight loss, taking part in acts of Remembrance remains deeply important. Yet losing one’s sight can bring significant challenges to independence, mobility and confidence. Blind Veterans UK stands with them throughout their journey, supporting them to take part in Remembrance and rebuilding their lives after sight loss through rehabilitation, training, equipment and emotional support.
Chief Executive of Blind Veterans UK, Adrian Bell, says:
“Every November, we honour those who served our country, remembering their sense of duty, sacrifice and service. This Remembrance Sunday, I am proud to march alongside our blind veterans in London as we remember those who gave their lives in service to our country and reflect on the contribution of all who have served.
“This year also marks a number of significant anniversaries, including 35 years since the end of Operation Desert Storm, the liberation of Kuwait by Coalition Forces, and 15 years since the end of Operation Telic, UK military operations in Iraq. These milestones remind us of the enduring impact of military service and the importance of ensuring veterans receive the support they need long after their service has ended.”
Blind Veterans UK supports thousands of blind veterans like Simy, but knows there are many thousands more who could benefit from its support.
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.
