Singer and British forces Vera Lynn, ‘honey’, dies at 103

Forces' Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn in central London, on October 22, 2009.

Lynn, who lives in Ditchling, East Sussex, England, said she died “surrounded by her close family” on Thursday morning, the charity’s website said in a statement.

Lynn’s two most famous songs, “We Will Meet Again,” were released at the beginning of the war in 1939, and “White Cliffs, Dover”, recorded in 1942, created a patriotic image of a brave and sputtered Britain resounding with people. Even in the UK today. He was also the first British singer to be number one on American music charts.

Her daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, said in the statement: “My mother was frequently referred to in the 50s to children who had little understanding of the condition and suffered from motor learning difficulties, humiliatingly” spastic. “

“Along with famous chums like David Jacobs and Wilfred Pickles, he set out to change people’s attitudes towards disability and help children reach their full potential. At that time, no one could raise money to help, so it was a groundbreaking job.

“Although my mom is closely related to other charities, not least those who support veterans, Dame Vera Lynn Child Charity has always held a very special place in her heart – the children loved her as much as she loved it, and I am extremely proud of the difference they have achieved and made in the lives of many families

Britain’s PA Media news agency also reported that it confirmed his family’s death. “They are very sorry to announce the passing of one of Britain’s most beloved entertainers,” the family said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted to Lynn: “The magic and magical voice of Dame Vera Lynn has gone up in some of the darkest hours of our country. Her voice will live to lift the hearts of future generations.”

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Captain Tom Moore, 100-year war veteran Raising millions of people for the UK’s National Health Service, Lynn also paid a tribute to her death, calling her death a “real shame”. II. During World War II, Moore fought in Myanmar, later known as Burma, where Lynn visited to join the troops.

“I really thought that Vera Lynn had been talking very well on TV lately. She really impressed me in Burma and it was important to me throughout my life.” Said.

In 2009, Lynn became the oldest artist to be the number one album in the UK with “We’ll Meet Again: Vera Lynn’s Best”. Moore recently became the oldest artist to have the number one single on the UK charts.You will never Walk alone“Published a week before his 100th birthday.

In 2017, Lynn became the oldest artist to have a top ten album on the British charts with “100” released in honor of her 100th birthday. To celebrate this milestone birthday, its image was projected on the White Cliffs of Dover on March 20, 2017.

Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins“I can’t find the words to explain how much I admire this wonderful lady,” he said in a tweet that made a virtual duet with Lynn on the anniversary of the VE VE Day last month.

During the coronavirus speech to the nation on April 5, Queen elizabeth Quoted Lynn’s famous wartime song quoted that Britain should feel comfortable in the fact that “better days will come back, we will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again, we will meet again”.

Lover of Forces

Vera Margaret Welch was born in 1917 to a working-class family in East Ham, now the London suburb. He began his career singing at men’s clubs, who worked only seven years old. Her grandmother’s maiden name – she took Lynn as a stage name at the age of 11.

He left school at the age of 14 and was spotted by a booking agent who arranged a job for him at parties and events. He then started playing on the radio and released his first solo recording in “Up the Wooden Hill to Bedfordshire” in 1936.

Lynn, pictured in 1964, was the first British artist to hit number one on the US record charts in 1952.

In November 1941 Lynn was given her own radio show “Best Regards, Vera Lynn” at the BBC. Later, he appeared in the movie “We Will Meet Again”, in which he portrays a character based on him.

“Lover of the Forces” demonstrated the spring and summer of 1944 for troops stationed in Egypt, India and Burma (Myanmar).

The Royal British Legion chirp On Thursday, Lynn was an “unforgettable British icon” and “a symbol of hope” for the armed forces.

Roll up for a time machine trip to London in 1952

When the war ended, Lynn traveled across Europe and continued to broadcast her radio show. When Decca Records released her next hit “Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart” in 1952, Lynn became the first British artist to be number one on American record charts.

Disease health shook him in later years. He developed emphysema in the late 1960s and performed less frequently. So deeply rooted in the collective English spirit, rock band Pink Floyd wrote a song called “Vera” in their seminal album “The Wall” in 1979.

In 1941 Lynn married a musician named Harry Lewis, and the couple had a daughter together, Virginia Penelope Anne Lewis. Lynn’s husband passed away in 1998.

Lynn has received many honors throughout her life. In 1969, a Dame was made in honor of the Queen’s 1975 birthday due to the British Empire Order (OBE) official and his contribution to charity.

In 2001, the Dame Vera Lynn Child Charity Foundation was created to help children with cerebral palsy and other motor learning disorders.

This last minute was updated with additional reports.