Fond farewells for the Forces’ sweetheart
The royal family and the prime minister were among those who joined in remembrance for Dame Vera Lynn, who died early yesterday at the age of 103.
The singer, whose moraleboosting performances during World War II earned her the accolade ‘‘the Forces’ Sweetheart’’, was most fondly remembered for her renditions of We’ll Meet Again.
The song, written by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles, became an anthem of national unity in times of crisis.
The Queen referred to the song during her televised address in April on the challenges of Covid-19.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: ‘‘A private message from Her Majesty will be sent to Dame Vera Lynn’s family.’’
The Prince of Wales’ Twitter account posted three photographs of the singer with the message: ‘‘Remembering Vera Lynn.’’
The images showed her displaying her insignia after she was appointed DBE, talking to Prince Charles and posing with the Duchess of Cornwall.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among thousands of people to pay tribute to her.
‘‘Dame Vera Lynn’s charm and magical voice entranced and uplifted our country in some of our darkest hours,’’ he said. ‘‘Her voice will live on to lift the hearts of generations to come.’’
Virginia Lewis-Jones, Dame Vera’s daughter, said that her mother had died surrounded by her family. ‘‘Mummy passed away early this morning after a very bad chest infection,’’ she told The Times. ‘‘Everything was done that could possibly be done but at 103 she just couldn’t fight it.’’
From the family home in
Ditchling, East Sussex, she said that the infection was ‘‘absolutely not’’
Covid-19 because she had been tested.
Susan Fleet, Dame Vera’s personal assistant and a friend for 44 years, said that the singer had died at 1.50am at Princess Royal hospital in Haywards Heath, West Sussex.
Fleet recalled that Dame Vera, who was born in east London in
1917, never forgot her roots as a plumber’s daughter.
‘‘She always did her own hair,’’ she added.
Dame Vera’s wartime songs included The White Cliffs Of Dover, There’ll Always Be An England and If I Only Had Wings. She once said: ‘‘My songs reminded the boys of what they were really fighting for. Precious, personal things, rather than ideologies.’’
The singer marked her 103rd birthday in March by releasing a new video of We’ll Meet Again ,to which she added a brief message: ‘‘We are facing a very challenging time at the moment, and I know many people are worried about the future. I’m greatly encouraged that despite these struggles, we have seen people joining together.’’
Last month she became the oldest artist to enter the UK top 40 music chart when her album 100 reached No 30, spurred by commemorations for the 75th anniversary of VE Day. – The Times
‘‘My songs reminded the boys of what they were really fighting for. Precious, personal things, rather than ideologies.’’