Unseen Stories podcast

Four blind veterans accompanied by two nurses going for a walk at Church Stretton during World War II

Unseen Stories is Blind Veteran UK’s podcast about personal experiences of military life and sight loss.

We speak to veterans about their time in service, how they lost their vision and adjusted to life as a blind person, and what it means to them to be part of our charity.

Our podcast features fascinating interviews and clips from our extensive archives, as well candid and often heart-wrenching conversations with our current veterans.

Blind Veterans UK was founded in 1915 as the Blinded Soldiers and Sailors Care Committee, to help veterans who lost their sight in the First World War.

Known for most of our history as St Dunstan’s, after the name of our first headquarters in Regent’s Park, Central London, we changed our name to Blind Veterans UK in 2012 to better explain who we are and what we do.

Today, we continue to offer practical and emotional support to thousands of veterans, regardless of how or when they lost their sight.

You can listen to their compelling stories below.

I am delighted to support Blind Veterans UK’s podcast Unseen Stories, which brings to light the personal journeys of those the charity has helped over its long history of rebuilding lives after sight loss.
Damien Lewis
Author

Episodes

Episode 1: Barbara Bell

Barbara speaks to us about her early life, her time in the war and how she lost her sight.

An archive photograph of a young blind veteran Barbara sitting on an armchair and sewing

Episode 2: Fred Bentley

Fred talks about his wartime experiences, his career after service, his late wife and his time with our charity.

Blind veteran Fred, left, wearing a poppy at a Remembrance event

Episode 3: Billy Baxter

Billy tells of the devastation of losing his sight, and working for Blind Veterans UK at our Llandudno Centre.

A close-up of blind veteran Billy, looking across the room

Episode 4: Jim Hooper

Jim gives an account of his time in the Second World War and talks about battling sight loss.

A close-up of blind veteran Jim, wearing a maroon beret with a suit and tie

Episode 5: Ron Cross

Ron opens up about his time serving during the D-Day landings and remembers those who were lost in the war.

A photo of Ron Cross a blind veteran

Episode 6: Elizabeth Diacon

Elizabeth tells us about her wartime experiences, her time working at Bletchley Park and her life after the war.

Blind veteran Elizabeth smiling

Episode 7: John McOwan

John, who wrote his war-time memoir at age 101, shares his stories from his time served in the Second World War.

Blind veteran John, sitting at a desk with a large notepad, pen in hand, writing his memoirs

Episode 8: Alec Penstone

A Remembrance 2023 Special three-part interview with WWII veteran, Alec Penstone, who served on the Arctic convoys.