Paying tribute to a real national treasure
A SOLDIER from Sunderland played an important role at the funeral of British icon and national treasure Dame Vera Lynn.
Lance Sergeant Jonathan (Bobby) Robson, 31, from Sunderland, was one of twelve members of the Tri-service military route Lining Party, as the coffin was carried into the crematorium in Brighton.
Mr Tom Jones, Vera’s son-in-law, a retired squadron leader in the RAF, approached his former Squadron in Odiham requesting military support, including a flypast, for the funeral.
Speaking about his involvement in Dame Vera’s funeral, Lance Sergeant Robson said; “Being in the British Army has given me the opportunity to support some incredibly important events, and to form part of the guard honouring Dame Vera is a huge privilege for me.
“For someone who has contributed so much to our Nation and in particular to our Armed Forces, our support to Dame Vera’s funeral is a fitting tribute”.
Jonathan (Bobby) Robson is a section commander in Number Seven Company, having joined the Army nearly 10 years ago.
He has been on operations to Afghanistan and has deployed on overseas exercises to Belize, Kenya and the Falkland Islands.
He is currently based in Wellington Barracks, next to Buckingham Palace in London, and his primary role is guarding Royal Palaces, and providing state ceremonial on state occasions, such as the Guard of Honour for the visit of French President Macron a few weeks ago.
This presented an opportunity for Defence to acknowledge Dame Vera’s support to the Armed Forces as a singer, songwriter and entertainer throughout her life, especially during WW2, but also her subsequent charitable work which her family estimates raised £50m for service charities.
Military involvement with civilian funerals is historically only authorised in exceptional cases.
Warrant Officer Class One Garrison Sergeant Major Andrew ‘Vern’ Stokes, who helped design and run the military ceremonial aspect for the day, said: “Dame Vera has played such a pivotal role in supporting our Armed Forces, providing hope to all in the most difficult times when morale was waning.
“Having served on several operational overseas deployments over my long career, it means so much to soldiers to be able to think of home, when home is so far away, and this is how I will remember Dame Vera’s contribution. I am honoured to be coordinating the support of our Tri-service guard at her funeral, to provide a fitting tribute to a national treasure”.