As a teenager in 1944 Marie Scott had no idea of her seismic role in events that changed the world forever.

She was 17 and working in a top secret underground bunker passing coded messages from military commanders to soldiers landing on the D-Day beaches.

Marie was with the Women's Royal Naval Service as switchboard operator in the tunnels of Fort Southwick, Hampshire, the operations centre monitoring the invasion fleet.

And when troops were talking on their radios she could hear every blood-curdling sound from across the water in Normandy.

Marie, 98, said: "In my head I was in the war because what I heard was machine gun fire continuously. Men shouting. Men shouting orders. Men screaming. It must have been horrifying on those beaches.

"The Germans had machine gun nests that were very well concealed and they just mowed them down as they went on the beaches, and I could hear all that."

Eight decades have not dimmed memories of her harrowing but critical part in the greatest military invasion in history.

She often despairs at what the world has become but is resolute in her belief that veterans like her should be able to pay their respects to those who fell. And long after the dwindling band of brothers and sisters who remain are gone they too should be remembered by generations who follow.

Marie, of New Malden, Surrey, backs the Daily Express Respect Our War Heroes campaign which is calling the Government to ensure the last remaining Second World War heroes are able to honour their fallen comrades.

Her call comes in a momentous year in which we celebrate the 80th anniversaries of both VE and VJ Day.

Marie said: "It's an opportunity to thank all those wonderful people who made such a spectacular victory possible because, without them, the future could have been very dire indeed.

"Yes, it is salutary and necessary that we visit the countries that were occupied by the Nazis in order to hear from those who actually experienced the full horror.

"I sometimes look back and think if only I realised what I was doing at the time would be seen as historic. But of course you don't at the time.

"It upsets me because my generation put in an awful lot to keep this country going. I don't expect people to think we were great, a lot of us weren't, but we were doing a job.

"Today I am filled with horror at some of the things happening. The world is full of horrors, it is almost dystopian. People are different, they don't think or feel the same way. I know a lot of veterans ch feel the same way. It's unrecognisable.

"I don't think it means much to this generation but it means the world to us. Living through a war is unique."

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, run by volunteer London cabbies, has been supporting thousands of veterans since 1948. It is the only forces charity that focuses on providing fun and entertainment, arranging free trips for vets of all conflicts. It received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2021 and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023.

This year it is hoping to take as many as 25 veterans to commemorative events in Europe in an operation that could cost £100,000.

Vice President Dick Goodwin said: "We are looking forward to celebrating with the remaining Second World War heroes - they deserve Britain's gratitude and respect for their courage and sacrifice. But as a niche charity we are wholly reliant on grants and donations."

Speaking to the Express Marie said: "At moment we are all being given a tremendous amount of attention because we are all dropping off our perches and know there aren't many more years to come.

"But major landmarks, like last year's 80th anniversary of D-Day, and this year's VE and VJ Day anniversaries should be commemorated and celebrated because they are significant and historical events.

"We felt it was our duty to stand up and serve. Our country was in danger and we rose to the occasion, it really was that simple. Whether they would feel like that today, I really don't know.

"I have had a great life. I have been tremendously lucky that my latter years have been a ball and I have had a great time.

"And thanks to the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans I have been taken to places and met people I never dreamed possible.

"They have kept veterans in people's thoughts. If it wasn't for them we would have been long forgotten."

Marie, who turns 99 in June, is feted as a heroine during her annual pilgrimage with London cabbies to the Netherlands, where the outpouring of love and affection to British liberators is embedded in the national psyche, and to France, where the relatives of those who lived under Nazi occupation shower the returning heroes with love and affection.

Their number may be ever smaller, but the pride they still feel carries them on.

And on May 8 - VE Day - she will sit alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey for a service of remembrance and celebration.

Recalling that day 80 years ago she said: "The atmosphere in London was joyous.

"I went out with a friend from Portsmouth and she was in civvies. I went in uniform and because I was in uniform we received the attention of a lot of males. We had to suffer loads of kisses and hugs, and I must say most were not bad. We certainly entered into the spirit of things.

"There was an air of celebration because we had defeated what we considered to be an evil force.

"And it showed to us all that human beings can sink to the depths of depravity, but also rise to the greatest heights.

"We shall go down in history and it is vital that what we all did is remembered forevermore.

Marie added: "I think this will be my last chance to saviour it and take it all in.

"I don't fear dying. Hopefully I will not be in pain. I have had a good life. I have two beautiful daughters, three lovely grandchildren, and the last seven or eight years I have had a ball. Old age has almost been a pleasure.