ONLY 8,000 World War Two veterans are still alive out of the five million British forces who fought for the nation.
And a new survey to mark the end of the war 80 years ago predicts fewer than 300 will remain by the 90th anniversary.
Five years ago, it was estimated that more than 70,000 of those who served between 1939 and the final surrender by Japan on August, 15, 1945 — VJ Day, the end of the conflict — were still with us.
The Royal British Legion said those still alive in England and Wales range in age between 98 and 110.
To pay tribute to the survivors and fallen, the RBL and Government are inviting veterans from the Far East to an 80th anniversary service at the National Memorial Arboretum, near Lichfield, Staffs, on August 15.
RBL boss Mark Atkinson said: “It’s likely to be one of the last opportunities as a nation to thank those veterans still with us today for their service and sacrifice.”
Among those attending will be Owen Filer, 105, from Cwmbran, South Wales, who was serving in India on VJ Day.
He said: “It will be an honour to be with the Royal British Legion and fellow veterans 80 years after the world went through so much.
“And to remember those who never made it back.”
