Forces' Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn who entertained troops with morale-boosting visits to the front line during the Second World War has died aged 103, her family said today.
Dame Vera's family said in a statement they were 'deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain's best-loved entertainers at the age of 103'.
They added: 'Dame Vera Lynn, who lived in Ditchling, East Sussex, passed away earlier today, surrounded by her close family. Further information regarding a memorial service will be announced at a later date.'
Earlier this year, ahead of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Dame Vera spoke of remembering 'the brave boys and what they sacrificed for us'.
The Queen referenced the title of one of Dame Vera's most beloved wartime songs when she told the country, separated from families and friends during the coronavirus lockdown: 'We will meet again.'
She was also fondly remembered for singing The White Cliffs Of Dover, There'll Always Be An England, I'll Be Seeing You, Wishing and If Only I Had Wings, to help raise British spirits during the Blitz.
'My songs reminded the boys of what they were really fighting for,' she once said. 'Precious, personal things, rather than ideologies and theories.'
Dame Vera later had her own television show and toured the world. She remained an outspoken supporter of military veterans throughout her life.
In May, she urged the nation to 'remember the brave boys and what they sacrificed for us'. She added: 'They left their families and homes to fight for our freedom and many lost their lives trying to protect us and our liberties.'
At my mother's funeral, (at her request,) Vera Lynn singing ; "Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye!" was played as the coffin disappeared through the curtain.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
I saw her in 1977 at the Queen's Silver Jubilee (25th anniversary of her accession) celebrations.
In olden times, before they had smartphones (I hope you kids are paying attention) urgent messages were sometimes sent by means of fires on hilltops. The fires were known as beacons and the hills were called beacon hills. They were famously used to warn of the approaching Spanish Armada in 1588. Many still bear the Beacon name. (Likewise Beacon Hill in Boston.) I lived in Brighton on the south coast of England at the time, and near us was Ditchling Beacon.
For the Jubilee, February 1977, the Queen lit a fire at Windsor. Bonfires were set up on Beacon Hills up and down the country and as soon as we saw one lit in the distance, the next one in line would apply the torch. I later read that although we were sixty some miles from Windsor and there were (IIRC) six fires between us and Her Maj, ours was lit within 10 minutes of the Windsor fire.
Vera Lynn lived locally and she came. She didn't sing but they had a sound system and they played We'll Meet Again and The White Cliffs of Dover. I was no monarchist - now or then - but it was a great night.
Our local beacon, the first/last in England. It's on the hill which I walk my dogs at each night. Now lit ceremonially.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
