Victor Keech marked his 19th birthday surrounded by gunfire.

Eastern Daily Press: Veterans D-Day book launch. Left to right, Victor Keech, William Holden, Ken Mason and David Johnson.Picture: ANTONY KELLYVeterans D-Day book launch. Left to right, Victor Keech, William Holden, Ken Mason and David Johnson.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Not even out of his teens, he, like so many others, found himself landing on the Normandy coast as he marked the occasion, for what was to become the most high-profile invasion of the Second World War.

On Monday, 72 years on from the D-Day landings, Mr Keech celebrated his 91st birthday in the Norwich sunshine surrounded by family, friends and fellow comrades, signing copies of a book which details his battalion's – the 1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment – memories of the conflict. Since the late 1990s, he and fellow comrades Ken Mason, William Holden, David Johnson and many others no longer with us, have shared stories and photographs from the war with Justin Jones, who has immortalised them in the published book.

Designed to raise cash for forces charities, the book has already been flying off the shelves – with plans for the veterans to sign, and sell, copies at this year's Royal Norfolk Show.

Reflecting on his 19th bithday, Mr Keech, of Wymondham, said: 'I was terrified. I think everybody was. We weren't much more than choir boys at that time, but we were told to look tough and we put a brave face on it. But we weren't tough – how could you be a soldier at that age? I think everyone was desperate.'

Eastern Daily Press: Veterans D-Day book launch. Left to right, Victor Keech, William Holden, Ken Mason and David Johnson.Picture: ANTONY KELLYVeterans D-Day book launch. Left to right, Victor Keech, William Holden, Ken Mason and David Johnson.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

He said he has memories of the day, and the war in general, which are clearer 'than ones made 10 or 20 years ago'.

In February, the four friends – with the widow of comrade Jim King, who died in August last year – were awarded the prestigious Légion d'honneur, the French government's highest award for bravery.

The bond is one which has proven unshakeable – despite the decades past and health ailments, they continue to meet monthly at the Britannia Café, formerly the Britannia Barracks.

Mr Holden, 93, said looking back to his war days was 'surreal'.

Eastern Daily Press: Veterans D-Day book launch.Picture: ANTONY KELLYVeterans D-Day book launch.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

'Even now, all these years on, the war feels like a dream to me,' he said. 'It was terrible, but at the same time I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I met men from every walk of life – the brave, the terrified like me.'

The veterans will be at the Royal Norfolk Show, at the Norfolk Showground, on Wednesday, June 29 to sign copies of the book. It is hoped they will return the following day.

In the meantime, copies are available for £10 from the Britannia Café.

If you have a story we should be writing about, email lauren.cope@archant.co.uk