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Remembrance 2025 in pictures

Published on 13 Nov 2024

As a charity supporting thousands of ex-Servicemen and women, the National Day of Remembrance is one of the most important events in our annual calendar.

This year was particularly poignant as we marked 80 years since the end of the Second World War, VE Day, and VJ day.

Once again, a proud group of over 80 blind veterans and guides took part in the televised march past the Cenotaph in London.

Remembrance 2025 stories

Our contingent of over 80 blind veterans and their guides at the Cenotaph in London — Our contingent at this year's march at the Cenotaph

In our front row was 101-year-old veteran Michael Woods, who serviced Lancaster Bombers during the Second World War, Army veteran John Hardy, who earlier this year was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to his local community, and Kelly Ganfield, who became the first ever blind veteran to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph alongside her guide dog, Archie.

Kelly stands with the wreath in one hand and Archie's harness in the other. She is wearing a black jacket, beret and medals. — Kelly and Archie ready to set off

Michael and Eddie smile and look into camera. Both in smart suits, Michael also wears his medals and beret. — Michael and his son Eddie

John sits in a wheelchair and looks into camera, holding an Armed Forces Breakfast Club wreath — John on Horse Guards Parade

Watch our contingent marching in London

“It was great. Such a marvellous experience. I’m honoured to have taken part with Blind Veterans UK and I’m very proud that I was one of the few Second World War veterans, there aren’t a lot of us left.”

Michael, blind veteran

Remembrance at our Rustington Centre

At our Rustington Centre veterans, their families, and charity staff came together for a service led by our padre. During the service Second World War Members Nancy Bowstead and John Harlow were among those to lay a wreath and all those present were invited to write a message of Remembrance on crosses that were placed in the Garden of Remembrance.

John Harlow was a submariner during the Second World War. He said: “The submarine service lost a lot of men. At Remembrance, I think of a particularly good friend who I joined the submarine service with. He was on a sister ship to mine; they were depth charged and sunk in the Indian Ocean. I think of this chap every Remembrance and get very emotional.”

The service also marked the last time Alan Walker would perform his standard bearer role.

Nancy sits in a wheelchair and looks into the camera, holding a wreath with both hands — 104-year-old Nancy with her wreath

Blind Veteran Alan Walker In Front Of War Memorial Rustington Centre Memorial Garden — Alan stands down as our standard bearer

John and Evelyn sit in chairs next to each other having a discussion. Evelyn is wearing a poppy and John is wearing his medals — WWII Submariner veteran John talks to schoolgirl Evelyn on Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance in Manchester

In Manchester, a Remembrance service was held for the first time at our Victory over Blindness statue outside Manchester Piccadilly Station on Saturday, with around 50 blind veterans and guests attending. The service commemorated the life of Sir Arthur Pearson as well as all those who lost their lives in the service of our nation. With prayers, readings, poems and a wreath laid by Member Ken Winstanley, the event was a big success and a similar one is already being planned for next year.

Blind veteran leads the group with his standard while the blind veterans behind put their hands on eachothers' shoulders — Blind veterans line up next to our Victory over Blindness statue

Coops sits in front of our Victory over Blindness statue, wearing his beret and medals — Afghanistan blind veteran Coops

Ken stands next to the Victory over Blindness statue which has a wreath in front of it that he had laid — Our wreath carrier, blind veteran Ken

Blind veterans marked Remembrance across the country

We’re proud to say that our blind veterans took part in events across the whole country. Over 50 wreaths were laid on behalf of the charity across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Many veterans at events across the country laid wreaths as part of our Gift a Wreath campaign.