THEY were there for some of the twentieth century’s most shocking events and last Saturday they were together again.

Ten World War Two veterans met in Botley to eat, chat, listen to music, dance and, of course, talk about old times.

Now age is catching up with these men and women who served in the 1940s but their memories of those extraordinary years have not faded; the Spitfire pilot still had a lot to share with the spy and the naval officer.

The reunion was organised by Project 71, which was set up by Lorie Coffey in 2013 to recognise the veterans’ service to their country. She said: “The Government decided they would not officially support any more World War Two commemorations but I still wanted to give something back.”

Present on Saturday was squadron leader Derrick Grub who was shot down in his Spitfire, interrogated, and then held as a prisoner of war.

While he suffered the deprivations of a camp in 1944, others present at the reunion were taking part in the D-Day landings.

This huge Allied invasion of the French coast took Hitler by surprise and spelled the beginning of the end for the Third Reich.

When Russia threatened from the East, Hitler ordered the strategic movement of thousands of prisoners of war. Derrick Grub was among them.

The Long March across northern Germany took place in temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius and through thick snow.

The starving men were marched hundreds of miles and expected to find what shelter they could.

Many died of hypothermia, hunger, disease, exhaustion or dehydration. Derrick Grub recalls the last meal he was given. It consisted of flour, sugar and coffee beans.

There was no water and he had to eat it dry.

Stories like that have persuaded Lorie Coffey of Project 71 that veterans should be helped and respected into their old age. She said: “I don’t call us a charity, I call us a support group. We organise trips to Normandy, Arnhem and other important World War Two sites where they can pay their respects to fallen comrades.

"We have lunches, ensure every veteran has a birthday party and, if a veteran is in hospital with no family, we play that supporting role.”

Project 71 is supported by 25 volunteers. One of them is James Davies, who hosted the reunion at his restaurant, The Old Mill.

He said: “I’ve been working with Project 71 for a couple of years and we look after about 20 veterans from the Second World War who are amazing people. It’s a privilege and an honour to host them here.

"I’m in a room with a Spitfire pilot, someone who sailed into Dunkirk and also an army despatch rider - and they’re all so vibrant."

Project 71 wants to hear about any veterans who may need their help. Lorie said: “The biggest compliment we got from one of our veterans was that he’s had a lovely life and what we do for him is the best final chapter!”