Barrie Sylvester, also known as Victor, was picked from hundreds to be featured on an ITV show, called Evacuees Reunited, and was moved to tears when about 50 people he knew – including children from his host family – emerged from behind an archway in Abergavenny Castle.

The surprise was sprung by presenter Michael Aspel and his production team after the 72-year-old made the journey to Wales from Howland, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, where he now lives.

Although he didn't return to Abergavenny until 2005 – 59 years since he left as a 10-year-old – the idyllic location had always meant a lot to him. And when his friends came to greet him during filming, he said the experience was overwhelming.

He said: "We got to Abergavenny Castle and Michael Aspel asked me if there was anyone I knew there.

"Unbeknown to me, on the other side of the arch, there were 40 to 50 people who all knew me. There were kisses and cuddles and handshakes."

He also went to the place where the house, called 2 Westgate buildings stood – but there is now just a red telephone box.

While some child evacuees had unhappy times in their new homes in alien settings miles away from their families, Mr Sylvester's memories recall long, peaceful summer days playing by the canal.

He said: "I was very happy where I was. I didn't know there was a war on.

"The people were so kind and they had children of our age.

"In a village near to Abergavenny, my brother and I used to play near a canal. It was so blissful. It was a summer day and so peaceful, and I saw this lady. She just said: 'Isn't this like heaven?'"

Mr Sylvester remembers how a bombing raid near his family home in Kent when he was four prompted his mother to make the heart-breaking decision to uproot the family, including his brother Brian, who was six at the time.

He said: "My brother and I were playing out the front and didn't even know there was a war on.

"A plane came flying low and we waved at the pilot and he waved back. But he came back in a circle and started shooting down the street. We still weren't afraid because we saw planes like that every day.

"Being boys, we thought all the empty shells would be good souvenirs.

"I picked one up and it was hot and I told my mum.

"That's when she decided we should be evacuated."

Mr Sylvester went on to write a book about his life as an evacuee – called from Kent to Gwent – and enjoyed an illustrious music career in the Royal Marines band.

As a euphonium player, he performed at the Queen's coronation and Winston Churchill's funeral.

He has also taken part in a string of fund-raisers in the city.

The show will be screened before Christmas on ITV about the recollections of wartime evacuees.