A WOMAN who fled the Spanish Civil War when she was ten has told of finding a home in Southampton.
Josephina Stubbs, 95, attended a ceremony on Saturday at Southampton Town Quay Park to watch the unveiling of a memorial for Basque refugee children.
The memorial honours all the refugee children who evacuated to Southampton 85 years ago aboard the SS Habana.
At around midday, it was unveiled by the Spanish Ambassador to the UK, José Pascual Marco, and the Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Jacqui Rayment, and the Mayor of Eastleigh, Cllr Adam Manning.
Josephina, who now lives in New Milton, was close to tears after seeing the polished marble tablet unveiled.
At the ceremony, she opened up to the Daily Echo about her time in the UK.
She said: " I remember it so well that it was my tenth birthday when I boarded Habana.
"I came with my brother and sister to the UK, and when we arrived in Southampton, it was so wonderful. I couldn't believe it at first.
"As children, we thought it was great and we didn't realise the responsibility that we were going to end up with.
"When we grew a little older, that's when we realised what was happening.
"We thought we'd be able to go back, but we never did." 
While surrounded by her loved ones, Josephina told the gathered crowd:
"Today's event brings back many sad memories we experienced as kids, but there have been a lot of happy moments in our lives as well.
"You come across these steps all the time, but you've got to jump them."
As one of the last few survivors of the bitter conflicts, Josephina has thanked the UK for its never-ending help and support.
She added: "I have found England to be a wonderful country, and the people have been very supportive too. I can't praise them enough."
Cllr Rayment said it is "really important" that Southampton remembers the arrival of the Basque children.
She added: "In the current climate where we are as a city sanctuary in Southampton now welcoming Ukrainian families and, in particular, mothers and children, it's right today, 85 years on, that we are here to commemorate and remember the Basque children that came to Southampton all those years ago."
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