As a tribute to the late Dame Vera Lynn, we chart her career as the forces’ sweetheart, and look at other entertainers who risked all to raise spirits on the front lines
Sir Harry Secombe once said of Vera Lynn: “Churchill didn’t beat the Nazis, Vera sang them to death!” Like most successful humour, the comedian and singer’s words about his friend rang true – the wartime voice of Lynn was a powerful weapon.
In his preparatory instructions for the battle of El Alamein, General Bernard Montgomery acknowledged the importance of raising troops’ spirits: “Morale is the big thing in war. We must raise the morale of our soldiers to the highest pitch. Without high morale, no success can be achieved, however good may be the strategic or tactical plan, or anything else.”
Dame Vera’s voice performed that function both in person and over the airwaves. Emotive and nostalgic songs about ‘bluebirds’ and ‘meeting again’ gave those serving on the front lines a vital connection to home and allowed all those in Britain to believe that life would soon become the ‘sunny day’ for which everyone hoped.
Early Days
Like many performing artists of World War Two, Vera Lynn followed in the footsteps of entertainers who rallied to …
