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Carys Thomas. Her brother, George Phillips, who drove a school bus, brought a group of Basque children to the family home every other Sunday for dinner for around six months, she said.

“I was only six at the time, but I remember there were about 15 of them and that his friend Jack used to take them to his mother’s on the other Sunday,” added the 86-year-old. “They were all older than me, I would say they were aged 12 and above.

“I remember they were all very happy and that they all had lovely teeth. We were not allowed to speak at the table, but they were chatting away and laughing.”

Mrs Evans, from Gaer Road, said her mum used to serve them sandwiches, fruit salad, cakes and evaporated milk.

Sonia Fisher, Mrs Evans’ brother’s daughter, said she thinks her father wanted to give the children, who were staying in Cambria House, Caerleon, a bit of “home life”.

Caerleon will mark the 80th anniversary of the refugees’ arrival with a full day of events on Monday. The events will be part of the Caerleon Arts Festival, which begins this Friday.

A spokesman for the event said: “We will have a guided walking tour of Caerleon to see where the children lived and a panel discussion including politicians and people currently working with refugee children.

“There will also be an exhibition of photos and other memorabilia dating from the 1930’s and entertainment with a Basque flavour.

“The events will be held in the festival marquee on the lawn of The Priory Hotel, in Caerleon.”

The spokesman said the final programme for the day will be announced soon.

For a full programme of the Caerleon Arts Festival, check tomorrow’s Argus.