Singer Vera Lynn, voice of hope in wartime Britain, dies at 103

By Kate Holton

 

Second World War British Forces Sweetheart Vera Lynn attends the Battle of Britain commemoration outside the Churchill War Rooms in London August 20, 2010. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor/Files

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Vera Lynn, the singer who became a symbol of hope in Britain during World War Two and again during the coronavirus pandemic with her song "We'll Meet Again", has died at the age of 103.

 

Known as the Forces' Sweetheart, Lynn struck a chord with soldiers fighting overseas and with the public back in Britain with songs such as "The White Cliffs of Dover" that gave voice to the hopes and fears about the conflict with Nazi Germany.

 

To mark her 100th birthday in 2017, a giant image of Lynn as a young woman was projected on to Dover's white cliffs and a new album released.

 

She was back in the news as recently as April when Queen Elizabeth used words from Lynn's song to tell the country "We will meet again" and urge them to show resolve during the coronavirus lockdown.

 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "Dame Vera Lynn’s charm and magical voice entranced and uplifted our country in some of our darkest hours. Her voice will live on to lift the hearts of generations to come."

 

Lynn was born Vera Welch on March 20, 1917, the daughter of a plumber in London's East End, and was singing in working men's clubs at the age of seven.

 

She began radio broadcasts and singing with bands in the late 1930s. But it was her wartime songs that won her fame and led to British tanks trundling into battle with "“Vera" painted on their sides and more than 1,000 written offers of marriage from servicemen.

 

In 1941, she began a weekly radio broadcast from London called "“Sincerely Yours" in which she relayed messages from British troops serving in all war theatres to their loved ones.

 

After the war, she lived quietly for most of her life on England's south coast near Brighton with Harry Lewis, the man she had married in 1941, a clarinet player who became her manager.

 

Known locally in the village of Ditchling as Mrs Lewis, she had a passion for gardening and detective novels.

 

“"I was lucky," she said. “"I had a talent; it lifted me out of the bracket I was born into.

 

“"And when I got my house and a little car, I thought, well that's all I want."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-06-18

 

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All she wanred was a house and a little car , Well done Vera , those that fought for England were with you in those dark days.  I really hope there is no statue somewhere that people want taken down. A grand age to reach.

She's flying with the Bluebirds in Heaven now...

 

 

103 eh? Well done and lifted the spirits of many. Perhaps if there is another WW there won't be time enough for singers to help in the same way.

Remember listening to her on a wartime radio roughly the size of a double decker bus. Our mum was so proud of it and would boast to anybody who came for a listen that it had nine valves!

 

They were a very special generation of Brits. In the words of one of Dame Vera's biggest hits, "Bless 'em all!"

Edited June 19, 20206 yr by Krataiboy

Did a good job Vera! RIP love. 

14 hours ago, Krataiboy said:

They were a very special generation of Brits. In the words of one of Dame Vera's biggest hits, "Bless 'em all!"

Indeed. The Greatest Generation. Not these namby-pambies we have now. Surprised a yanky hasn't chirped in with the tired we-saved-you line. Battle of Britain, you say. What's that then? Stood alone, as always.

 

RIP, dear lady.