CHARLIE O’Neil is in his nineties but he will never forget D-Day or the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

He is one of a number of pensioners from Oxford who have shared memories of Victory in Europe Day – or VE Day – for a commemorative film 70 years on.

Fifteen people from across the city were interviewed about their experiences on May 8, 1945, the day hostilities in Europe officially ended.

The Memories of War film pieces together interviews of people who lived through the war, documenting experiences of people who saw action both abroad and on home soil.

It was put together by Green Square housing association manager Rich Innes, whose interest in film making and history led to the project.

Mr Innes said: “I love that part of history, the 30s and 40s – the clothing, the music and so on.

“With 2015 being the 70th anniversary of VE Day, myself and many of the GreenSquare residents I support were keen to mark the occasion in some way.

“I work with older people on a daily basis and they have all got amazing stories to tell.

“Since January, I’ve interviewed 15 of our residents who lived through those times and the film is a montage of their stories and memories during the war.”

He added: “A couple of the people I spoke to saw service and action. Some of their memories were quite haunting.

“I spoke to people who were children during the war.

“One lady was a spotlight operator during the Blitz in London. Bombs were falling around her and she would be up on a tower controlling the spotlight.

“These were just regular people who kept going. It was absolutely fascinating.”

He added: “I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone involved with the project.

“I hope it will be a fitting commemoration of one of the most important events in recent British history.”

Mr O’Neil, 91, lives in East Oxford.

The widower and grandfather-of-three was a mechanical engineer in the 11th Armoured Division, known as The Black Bull.

He said: “I live in a sheltered flat and Rich happened to overhear me talking about the war.

“He was interested in it and found out I was in the army. We had a chat and he said he wanted me to be in the film.

“I went into Normandy and then through to Germany. I was involved with tank recovery and that sort of thing.”

He was in Normandy on D-Day and occupied the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on April 15, 1945, where the Allies found more than 60,000 emaciated prisoners and more than 13,000 corpses.

Remembering VE Day Mr O’Neil said: “I was posted back to the UK and I came back on VE Day. I had to report to Nottingham.

“It was hectic that day, I remember the trains being full.”

The film will be screened at a special street party-themed premiere in Greater Leys on the 70th anniversary.

Mr Innes has invited the participants as well as their families, friends and GreenSquare staff.

Members of the Bicester Home Guard and Home Front Living History Group will also be attending the event dressed in traditional Second World War uniforms and representatives from Help for Heroes will talk about their fund raising efforts in Oxfordshire.

Copies of the DVD will be on sale and with the money will be donated to Help for Heroes.