A BLIND war veteran who was given a new lease of life by a charity is urging others to seek support.

Frank Walden, 90, of Holland-on-Sea and has been receiving support from Blind Veterans UK for almost a year.

His career started as a trainee electrician at London's world-famous Harrods store.

He joined the Royal Navy in 1944, aged just 17, as the Second World War continued to rage.

Frank said: “When I joined the Navy, they took one look at my work history they said ‘Right, you’re a torpedo man.’ It was all very exciting.

“I was sent down to Billy Butlin’s to pick up my kit and have my injections. I couldn’t believe all the kit we were given. Coming from humble background I was so impressed. I couldn’t work out how they could afford it all.”

He was sent to the Netherlands to support British Commandos on Walcheron Island.

After leaving the Netherlands, Frank was placed on board the HMS Rajah escort aircraft carrier.

“I remember some chaps on board the Rajah mentioning they were heading to Hong Kong in the upcoming days," he said.

"I went and spoke to the commanding officer on board to see if I could join. That was on the Friday, and by the Monday we were off. It was like a bus service, stopping at Gibraltar, the Mediterranean, through the Suez Canal, down the Red Sea and through to Hong Kong. We did that three times!”

Frank was discharged from the Navy as an Able Seaman Leading Torpedo Man in 1947. He returned to Harrods and then to the Express Lift Company before retiring.

It was 65 years later when he first noticed his sight was deteriorating. It gradually got worse until four years ago he was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration.

Two years after the diagnosis Frank saw a Blind Veterans UK flyer at Specsavers store. He applied for the charity’s support but initially his sight loss wasn't bad enough.

His vision was reviewed again by the charity a year later and in 2015 Frank qualified.

In February this year, Frank was invited to the Blind Veterans UK training and rehabilitation centre in Brighton.

Frank said: “The staff at Brighton were marvellous. Everyone at the centre was as helpful as could be."

He was already interested in computers, so Blind Veterans UK gave him a free specially adapted computer for people with sight loss.

Frank said: “I’ve recently come back from a week of IT training focusing on how to use the new tablet which Blind Veterans UK gave to me. I’m getting on really well with it, thanks to their tuition. The IT instructor was very patient and supportive.”

As a result of some of his training, Frank is hoping to track down some friends from his days in the Navy. He said “Since getting my tablet from Blind Veterans UK I’ve been using Google to track down a few old friends from the Navy who now live in South Africa. I think I might have to get on Facebook to find them.”

Frank added: “I’d definitely encourage other veterans out there who struggle with their sight to get in touch. I’m so glad I picked up that leaflet in Specsavers. I really enjoy being a part of Blind Veterans UK and know others would too.”

Blind Veterans UK can be contacted on 0800 389 7979 or visit noonealone.org.uk.