A group of World War II veterans at a Falmouth nursing home were visited by personnel from Helston’s RNAS Culdrose on Armistice Day.

Former Spitfire pilot Ron Jones, 92, Women’s Royal Navy Service (Wren) Di Budd, 87, and Lancaster bomber navigator David Cook, along with other residents of King Charles Court, were visited by Senior Aircraftman Sam Hutchinson and Air Engineering Technician Jacob Waddicor.

SAC Hutchinson said: “It’s really good to see everybody. You hear a lot through your grandparents but it’s nice to see everyone else’s view and souvenirs from it. You hear some good stories as well.”

Di said that, to her, remembrance was a time to think of her husband, whose medals she carried with her, and she also thought of his father, who was seriously injured during World War I. She said: “My husband’s father was in World War I and lost an arm, so I always remember him in those terms, and how he suffered in the trenches, and how lucky people were to come back. It’s good to always keep them in your memory.”

The group enjoyed sandwiches and refreshments, as the young servicemen talked to their older counterparts, and a poem written by the brother of the home’s manager was read to the residents before a two-minute silence was observed. Melissa Jones, King Charles Court’s manager, said: “We have lots of servicemen and women here. They’re part of the community. It’s a way of thanking them for giving us our freedom.”

Deputy manager Kate Couch added: “It’s an honour to have them with us. It’s history and it will be gone.”