Two veterans had an emotional reunion last month as they met by coincidence at the Blind Veteran's Llandudno rehabilitation centre, 70 years after serving together in the jungle during the Malayan Emergency.

When Arthur and Joe decided to book into the rehabilitation centre for a week’s holiday, little did they know that they’d be reunited with their former comrade, 70 years after serving together in Kluang.

Arthur and Joe both served in the East Yorkshire Regiment as wireless operators as part of their National Service during the insurgency that took place between 1948 and 1960.

Arthur started to lose his sight around 20 years ago to glaucoma. Last year he started to receive Blind Veteran's support.

He said: “It’s been a gradual decline. The hardest thing for me was not being able to read anymore, as it’s something I used to love doing. Blind Veterans UK have been brilliant though. The Llandudno Centre is an amazing place to visit and I had a great time there with my wife.”

Joe said: “I never expected to see Arthur or anyone from my company all these years later. It was brilliant to see him and great to talk about our time in Malaya and the other men we served with.”

Joe started to lose his sight four years ago, due to a retinal vessel occlusion in his right eye and epiretinal membrane in his left. Shortly after he found out about the charity and started receiving support.

He says: “It was extremely difficult because around the same time I lost my wife. I couldn’t drive anymore and also couldn’t read. Blind Veterans UK have been brilliant though and have given me a magnifying glass which means I can read things like the post by myself without needing anyone to help me.

“It can be lonely living by myself, but when I go to the charity’s centre in North Wales I’m surrounded by people and it’s so nice to have the company. And the people you meet there have similar experiences so we have a lot in common and can help each other out and give each other advice."

For more on the work of the Blind Veteran's charity please visit https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/.