Meet the St Dunstaners
St Dunstaners have many fascinating stories to tell. From war time remembrances of the Normandy landings, to tales of more recent conflicts. Their recollections of how St Dunstan’s helped them to rebuild their lives are positive and inspiring. Read on for some rare insights into the past lives of St Dunstaners.
The Two Great Wars
The end of World Wars I and II were momentous occasions. The end World War II, a long and bloody war lasting six years, is celebrated officially on 8th May - VE (Victory in Europe) Day – though for some, the battle went on right up to Japan's official surrender on 2nd September 1945 VJ (Victory in Japan) Day.
Annually on Remembrance Sunday a number of St Dunstaners remember all those brave men and women who lost their lives or their sight in war that has secured our freedom today. St Dunstaners participate in the Whitehall Cenotaph service and parade. It is a time to reflect and commemorate the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces and civilians in times of war.
You can view recollections of the end of the World War II from St Dunstaners below.
Bob Osborne
Norman Perry
Ray Sheriff
D-Day
On 2nd June 1944 the D-Day landings – the biggest amphibious assault in world history – took place in Normandy. 156,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches, with 11,590 aircraft supporting the landings. It was the turning point in the war against the German forces. Some of our St Dunstaners lived through the assault and subsequently became St Dunstaners, others joined us in recent years.
Fred Collingwood
David Stack
Present Day
Although the majority of our new beneficiaries have come to us as a result of our constitution change in 2000 (allowing us to admit those who had served and subsequently lost their sight, whether through age, accident or illness) we have a steady stream of younger St Dunstaners coming to us as a result of blindness during active Service or whilst Serving.
Simon Brown
Craig Lundberg
Matthew Rhodes
