WATCH: The day war veterans were finally recognised

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The men and women of the Air Transport Auxiliary, including the female pilots known as the 'Spitfire Women', delivered over 309,000 aircraft between factories and front line airfields during the Second World War and returned them when they were damaged.

The ATA was a civilian unit founded in 1939, and included pilots, flight engineers, ground engineers, flying instructors, operations officers, meteorological officers, nurses and doctors, administration staff and Air Cadets. They were based at 14 ferry pools across the country.

For the first time the ATA veterans' role in the war was recognised yesterday. On their way to 10 Downing Street to receive their badges, the old comrades stopped first at the original ATA headquarters at White Waltham Air Field.

Watch our video report of the day here.