‘In the care of St Dunstans : Private Richard Horners story’

Richard Horner enlisted in the “Dukes” (West Riding Division, 7005/267930), on 1 Apr 1910 (as a Territorial) and was in France in June 1915 as part of 1/7 Battalion. In October the same year he was slightly wounded in the foot, subsequently finding the bullet in his boot. However, in March 1917, Richard was more seriously wounded about the head and eyes, losing his sight. He was repatriated to hospital in Chelsea, London, where he was supported by Sir Arthur Pearson (founder of St Dunstans), himself a blind man, who arranged for him to be trained in shorthand and typing at the Blinded Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Hostel in Regents’ Park.. Richard returned to Holmfirth, having married in 1921, and died in 1971 aged 76, still in the care of St Dunstans. This is his story.

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