Through St. Dunstan's to Light

Through St. Dunstan's to Light by James H. Rawlinson opens with a striking wartime scene and follows a blinded Canadian soldier’s journey from the mud of the front to the rehabilitative refuge of St. Dunstan’s. Rawlinson—Private of the 58th Battalion, C.E.F.—weaves vivid war stories and occasional sea stories with the practical science of early twentieth-century rehabilitation: braille instruction, workshops for boot and basket making, and the communal spirit that helped wounded men rebuild purpose. Set against the wider history of World War I, the memoir recounts front-line danger, air raids, and the quiet heroism of men learning trades, supported by figures such as Sir Arthur Pearson and visits from royalty. Without spoiling events, Rawlinson captures the daily textures of life at St. Dunstan’s—carpentry shops, mat weaving, and the emotional landscape of sightless veterans—offering both personal testimony and social history. Ideal for listeners who enjoy war stories, maritime recollections, and historical accounts of medical and social science, this accessible memoir will appeal to anyone interested in veterans’ resilience, early disability rehabilitation, and the human side of military history.