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Mrs Bright: I was in the fountains at Trafalgar square on VE day, celebrating. Lived in Brixton through the war, was 10 years old when the war ended. Oval Underground Station was our shelter. Lionel Blair was entertaining people in the Shelters.

Mr Bright: I was in the Service Corps during the war. On VE day I was in Nantes (we called ‘Nancy’), hiding in a wine cellar with two German prisoners, waiting for reinforcements. I used to drive a lorry with petrol during the war. Someone came down and shouted at the cellar that it was all over. I had to go back to my unit to fill up the ‘Gerry cans’ — I never saw the German prisoners again after that. Got home to the UK just before VJ day. US soldiers were grabbing girls to chuck in the fountains at Trafalgar Square. Much merriment. Brought back sweets for future wife — she was only 10 at that time (I was 200 but we knew we would get together — and ten years later we got married! Couldn’t go back to the firm I worked at before the war, so went to John Lewis on Oxford Street as a driver. Lucky to get a job! There wasn’t much around then.

Memories of France — all you could see was devastation — hardly any towns and villages left. Such a waste. Why were so many killed? Can’t see what’s been achieved after the war. Most things have stayed the same. No progress.

People went missing in war — 30 in block, but only 28 came back — it became a normality that you would lose people — very tragic. No contacts left from time in war — they’ve all died.

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