Midlothian Royal Navy veteran who lost sight to diabetes set for emotional milestone

A Midlothian Royal Navy veteran who lost his sight to diabetes is set for an emotional milestone.

John Finlay, 66, served as a radio operator from 1974 to 1979 and was stationed at HMS Cochrane. He is set to take part in London's Cenotaph Parade, 50 years after doing it for the first time.

John will walk with other Sight Scotland veterans, a charity that has supported him in adapting to life with sight loss. John explains: "Remembrance Day is about honouring those who gave everything for the freedoms we enjoy today.

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"So many young people endured unimaginable sacrifices, and it’s our duty to remember them."

He first took part in the parade as a 15-year-old, just months after joining the Royal Navy.

He continued: "At that age, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of what I was taking part in, I was focused on not making mistakes. I was proud, but I didn’t appreciate the weight of it all. Now, 50 years on, I see it very differently.

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“Taking part in the Cenotaph Parade, especially half a century after I first did so, is something I never thought I’d experience again. I’m incredibly grateful to Sight Scotland Veterans for this opportunity. It’s an honour and a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by so many young people for our freedoms.

"This isn’t just a march; it’s a way of saying, ‘We remember you. We’ll never forget.’

“Being shoulder to shoulder with others who have served is a tremendous privilege. It’s a proud, emotional moment, a chance to remember those who gave their lives for our country, and the friends and family we’ve lost along the way.”

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John is now a regular at the Linburn Centre in West Lothian, where he had built friendships and discovered new passions thanks to help from Sight Scotland veterans.

He added: “Sight loss can be very isolating, especially when you’re also in a wheelchair, like I am.

"But the charity helps us connect and opens doors to experiences we thought we’d lost, like being able to march at the Cenotaph. I look forward to going to Linburn every week, I’ve made so many new friends and love all the activities. I can’t thank them enough."