Officer blinded by the IRA to march

Ray Hazan OBE, 69, from Seaford will take part in the annual commemorations at the Cenotaph with Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision impaired ex-service men and women.

Ray was on his second tour of duty in Northern Ireland with the Royal Anglian Regiment in 1973 when an IRA parcel bomb exploded in his hands.

He was totally blinded, suffered severe hearing loss and lost his right hand.

His comrade was killed in the blast.

Mr Hazan said: “After the blast, my world came to a grinding halt; the sense of loss was like a bereavement.

“The thought that I would never read, kick a football, or see my children – my wife was four months pregnant when it happened – was an extreme blow and I felt almost paralysed with shock. When I lost my sight I felt helpless. I was unable to do many of the everyday things I had taken for granted.”

As an ex-serviceman, Ray was eligible for free help and support from Blind Veterans UK, and after joining in 1977 was elected president in 2004 having worked in the PR and welfare departments as well as his role as editor of the charity’s monthly magazine.

Mr Hazan said: “I still remember my first day at Blind Veterans UK when I heard the chatter and laughter of other members.

“The positive attitude of people I met made me realise that blindness was not so bad and that I too could go on to lead a fulfilling life just as they had.”

Mr Hazan, who was awarded an OBE in 2012 for his services to Blind Veterans UK and the blind community, will be at the front of the Blind Veterans UK contingent at the march to the Cenotaph on Sunday, November 9.

He added: “Remembrance gives me the chance to pay my respects to my friend who died in the same incident that left me blind. “This year, especially as Blind Veterans UK approaches its centenary, we remember all those blind veterans who went before us and who gave us an example of hope and achievement to follow.”