AS we prepare to mark the 70th anniversary of VE day, it’s difficult to imagine the hardships endured by ordinary people during that perilous time.

In our modern world, we can scarcely conceive of what it was like, for example, to queue for basic necessities whose supply was interrupted by a shattered infrastructure.

Fortunately Thames Water has done us proud. Indeed, this may well have been its finest hour.

Hundreds were left queueing for bottled water yesterday as yet another ailing pipe gave up the ghost, draining the reservoir in Royal Wootton Bassett.

In an added touch of authenticity, which was highlighted by town councillor Chris Wannell, there were worries about the welfare of vulnerable people who were unable to make it to the water pick-up points.

All that was lacking from the scenario was the odd period detail such as an air raid siren and some Red Cross volunteers handing out tea.

If we have offended anybody with these words, we apologise. It is certainly not our intention to downplay the misery endured yesterday, much less the indescribable sacrifice of those on all fronts who saved our nation during World War Two.

Deprived of the option to indulge in grim humour, however, we would otherwise be rendered mute with fury over yet another indignity being inflicted on innocent people by Thames Water.

The wretched organisation has been claiming for years that it has our interests at heart and is working to make its network of pipes fit for the 21st Century.

If that is the case, how did this latest calamity come about? Surely the pipes at a reservoir should always be first on the list of infrastructure to be updated and watched attentively.

Is there really no means in 2015 for monitoring equipment to detect impending failure?