The bronze sculpture right outside the front of Manchester Piccadilly station depicting seven life-sized soldier figures wearing blindfolds and guiding one another has been well-received by many for its “moving” subject matter since it was first erected back in October 2018, and has been described as “striking” for its interaction with passers-by at eye level – but what exactly does it mean?
What’s the message behind it? And why is it here in Manchester city centre?
Commissioned by national ex-service person sight loss charity, Blind Veterans UK, to mark the centenary year of the First World War in 2015 and realised by artist and sculptor Johanna Domke-Guyot, ‘Victory Over Blindness’ is a poignant memorial to soldiers who suffered loss of sight whilst fighting overseas.
The industrialised nature of the First World War – which lasted from 1914 to 1918 and saw the deaths of an estimated 886,000 British and Commonwealth military personnel, as well as countless more injured – made for unfathomable human suffering, with around 30,000 of the wounded discharged with damaged or defective eyesight and of these, 3,000 were left permanently blinded.
This came as a result of a number of circumstances, particularly the dreaded Mustard Gas attacks, as well as head injuries, shrapnel from artillery fire, stray bullets and fractures all contributing to the growing number of men returning from the war with sight loss.
And so, to serve as a stark reminder of these tragedies, the statue was commissioned.
Wikimedia Commons
Unveiled in October 2018 to “commemorate the amazing achievements” of the blind veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK since the end of WWI, the ‘Victory Over Blindness’ statue depicts seven blinded soldiers leading one another away from the battlefield with their hand on the shoulder of the man in front.
The phrase ‘victory over blindness’ was first used by Blind Veterans UK founder, Sir Arthur Pearson, and is a motto that continues to guide the charity’s principles today.
Inspired by a photograph the sculptor Johanna Domke-Guyot saw of WWI veterans, blinded in combat, leading one another from the front, what makes ‘Victory Over Blindness’ different from other statues or sculptures of lifelike individuals is that it was decided it should be situated on the ground and at eye level to engage passers-by, rather than on a plinth or platform.
This choice was primarily made to highlight the notion that the sacrifices of those on the frontline in WW1 should not be forgotten.
“People will be able to touch them, I want it to become a people’s piece,” Ms Domke-Guyot said.
Wikimedia Commons | Geograph – David Dixon
Although Blind Veterans UK is a charity located in London and Brighton – and now in Llandudno too – Manchester was chosen as the site to host the memorial permanently as it was known as a disembarking point for many soldiers returning from the war with life changing inflictions.
“There is no more appropriate location for this statue.” a statement on the Blind Veterans UK website reads.
“The convalescent camp at Heaton Park in Manchester treated and trained thousands of wounded First World War soldiers and sailors, including many with sight loss [and] we hope that it will continue to inspire the people of Manchester, and beyond, for many years to come”.
The statue is an empowering testament to the ability to overcome physical afflictions and serves as a reminder of the crucial role that charities play in rehabilitating wounded soldiers.
Over two years on, ‘Victory Over Blindness’ continues to strike a chord with Mancunians.
Featured Image – Flickr
Trending
A new music showcase is taking place at a beautiful and historic Stockport venue
Danny Jones
A new live showcase is coming to Stockport town centre as part of a wider music, art and cultural celebration next month.
And by new, we mean the artists; if you went to the last edition, you’ll know it delivers some serious talent.
Teaming up with the likes of Manchester-based music magazine and promoters, The Rodeo, as well as ticketing platform Skiddle, Stockport is set to welcome the return of Mercury Climbing Festival.
This week-long celebration of music, art and culture around parts of the Greater Manchester borough’s historic old town, and there are some exciting names on board already.
As for Mercury Climbing 2025 itself, the multi-day festival spread across several locations boasts the best in native and Northern music, visual arts, and comedy.
Popping up across a total of eight different spaces, including the likes of the brand-new Stockroom, pubs, and headline music venue St Mary’s Church – quietly one of the coolest places we’ve ever seen a gig – you have plenty of reason to be excited about this one.
Speaking of St Mary’s, while artists such as local legends Badly Drawn Boy, Manc indie outfit The Covasettes and Riding The Low – fronted by actor Paddy Considine – are set to play the stunning ceremonial space, The Rodeo is also hosting its own dedicated stage at the church.
Highlighting emerging new talent on Saturday, 20 September, Manchester-based solo indie project Better Joy is set to headline, with Denver County Council (who featured on our Manc artists of the month round-up), Henry Webb-Jenkins, Katie & the Bad Sign, plus more to be announced in support.
The last time we saw a ‘Live at St Mary’s’ event, we can’t stress this enough: it was nothing short of an unforgettable experience.
You don’t get to enjoy a ‘religious’ gig experiences like this often…
Taking place from Friday, 19-26 September, the festival as a whole will transform Stockport’s historic Old Town into a vibrant cultural hub.
And it isn’t just music: there are local food and drink traders getting involved, artwork from the one and only Stanley Chow, as well as plenty of other entertainment.
Above all else, the event is not only steeped in SK and Greater Manchester’s rich heritage, but it’s a great way of supporting new art coming out of the region.
The Rodeo’s St Mary’s stage gets underway from 4pm and is scheduled to finish at 10:30pm, but the wider Mercury Climbing programme is an all-day festival that won’t end until late. You can grab your tickets right HERE.
Manchester’s very own Jamie Hutchinson announces new stand-up tour dates
Danny Jones
Manchester comedian Jamie Hutchinson has just announced arguably his biggest domestic tour yet, and despite plenty of gigs around the North, he’s playing just one hometown headline slot.
So you’d best be quick about grabbing tickets.
The local stand-up has seen a huge rise in popularity over the last few years, not only thanks to his regular gigging on the live circuit, but numerous standout podcast performances and, in short, by being one of the most amusing comic storytellers around – at least as far as we’re concerned.
Now set to embark on an extensive run of UK shows early next year, Jamie Hutchinson is getting back on the road with his latest material very soon.
Taking his new hour, Can My Mate Come, He’s Sound (see, even his titles are low-key genuinely funny) on tour, the crown prince of Gorton, a.k.a. ‘Mash’ himself, is playing venues up and down the country, including plenty here in the North West.
After all, he can’t drive, so best keep the long train journeys to a minimum, eh?
To quote Broadway Baby, who shared their positive words only recently, their newest project promises a “brand-new hour of unfiltered mayhem, questionable logic and emotional chaos held together by takeaway boxes and blind optimism.”
If that isn’t a glowing review, then we don’t know what is..
The Hot Water’s Green Room host and regular Have A Word podcast favourite delighted his crowds and newcomers alike with his record-breaking Waterslide tour, which ran from 2023 all the way into last year, and now he’s looking to repeat that same success. As it happens, multiple dates have sold out already.
With more than 700 tickets sold within the first hour of presale alone, it’s no surprise that the likes of Chorley, Chester (already gone) and soon both of his Liverpool shows are soon to be sold out.
As for his Academy One show on Sunday, 24 May 2026 – which is just about the biggest Manc venue he’s played to date – we expect it won’t be long before that one books up too.
We can always hope he tacks on extra dates on the UK tour, but if you’re a Jamie Hutchinson fan, you’re still best just making sure you secure your seat while you can. Grab yours HERE.
Let’s just pray he makes it home in time for his appointment with ‘Dr Catford’…
He’s yet to record a live taping of a special, but this is the kind of charming nonsense you can expect.
Emily Sergeant -
1st November 2021 
