Neighbours who were bombed out of their Tooting homes during World War Two have been reunited after more than 70 years.

John Keely and John Wardell lived next door to each in Hazlehurst Road before their homes were hit by a V2 bomb.

Wandsworth Times:

John Keeley and John Wardell (behind), at the Hazlehurst  Road plaque unveiling.

Mr Keely, 80, of number 44 and Mr Wardell, 77, of number 46, were recently reunited at the unveiling of a green plaque to commemorate those who lost their lives during the bombing in the area, organised by Geoff Simmons of Summerstown Church on June 6 2015.

November 4: Fallen soldiers of Summerstown to be honoured in Remembrance Day service

It was Mr Keely and his brother Arthur Keely who were chosen to unveil the memorial.

Mr Keely was nine, and Mr Wardell, six, when they last saw each other 71 years ago.

Mr Keely, who now lives in Moffat Road, said: "It was very good to see John again and seeing some old faces, my brother has got in touch with some of his old mates too.

"It was a really good day and I probably will see John again."

Wandsworth Times:

Three eldest Wardell children left Joan, middle Harry, right John

Describing the moment the bomb it, he said: "I was asleep when it happened, I remember being in bed and looking out of the window."

Geoff Simmons, who organises walks in the area, said: "Through people turning up on my walks John [Keely] and Arthur have got in touch with a couple of other old pals who they hadn't seen for a while so they are really quite enjoying all this."

Mr Wardell, living in Raynes Park now, said: "It’s strange really because I don’t suppose I really knew him that well because I was only six when it all happened, then I went 70 years before I seeing him again.

"I only went because my daughter forced me to go but I am really glad I went, the memories came flooding back."

Mr Wardell has since been on other walks organised by Mr Simmons and intends to keep going.

Mr Wardell’s daughter Angela, said: "Both my Aunt and I are quite interested in the family tree and so we went for a walk around Tooting in April of this year, we walked down Hazlehurst Road and Dad said that's where they had been bombed out, we had heard this story from the older siblings and my Nan, but it was odd seeing the spot where it had happened.

"A couple of months later, we saw on Geoff's website that there was going to be a plaque unveiling to commemorate the lives lost on that day and so we went along.

"John Keeley and his brother were unveiling the plaque, my Dad went up to John afterwards and said 'remember me?' John said 'Harry' (my Dad's elder brother), when Dad replied 'no' John said 'you're Johnny then.'"

Three Wardell children survived the bombing, along with their mother, Grace.

Ms Wardell said: "My grandad Harry Wardell had been called to work unexpectedly that Sunday morning to help with building and repair work on other bomb damaged properties.

"Due to this they were all up early and sitting in the kitchen, they believe being in that part of the house is probably what saved them. "

The next Summerstown182 walk is Saturday, December 5 with more in the spring.