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Dr Peter Trafford lives in Wells but spent the war years as a medical student and then surgeon in London.

On VE Day, he was performing surgery – but wanted desperately to be part of the celebrations. So, he hopped on a train to London, wandered through the Mall and Downing Street, spying Churchill on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

Pubs were full and accommodation was hard to come by – so Peter and his wife returned to St Thomas’ Hospital, where he trained, and spent the night in the bombed-out ruins, sleeping under the stars.

Image: Dr Peter Trafford