Elsie Aldred

Elsie was just 21 when she was blinded. In 1942 she was called up to work as a fillings operator at a munitions factory in Risley, near her home in Warrington.

In 1943, while she was filling ammunition, one of them exploded in her face causing her to lose her sight. The explosion also damaged her hearing and she lost part of her right hand.

Elsie was rushed to hospital where she was operated on straight away. She remained there for over four months, before being transferred to St Dunstan’s rehabilitation and training centre. It was only there that she was told that she would never see again; ‘I couldn’t believe it, I really thought that after my injuries had healed I would regain my sight.’

At the centre, Elsie learnt how to type with one hand and to read braille; once she regained some of her hearing, she was also trained on how to use a switchboard.

Within a year Elsie started to feel confident again and returned to work for a former employer as a switchboard operator: ‘At first I was very nervous about starting work and not being able to see, but soon everyone realised that I could still do almost anything they could.’ Elsie worked for 39 years before she retired.

Elsie had the support of her mother until 1975, when she sadly passed away. Now at 86, Elsie has retained her independence by continuing to live in her own home. She has always kept very busy cooking and she really enjoys dancing in her spare time.

‘St Dunstan’s has been wonderful; they have made such a positive difference to my life. The welfare officers visit regularly just to make sure that I am still alright.’

A growing number of ex-Service men and women are desperate for support: more World War Two veterans are losing their sight and more young British soldiers are at risk of returning home blind.

The reality is that we cannot meet this growing demand without you by our side. Please help us give more blind heroes an independent future. Please support St Dunstan's