Dame Vera Lynn: Crowds applaud flypast at star’s funeral

Forces’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn – who gave hope to millions of Britons fighting around the globe during the darkest hours of the Second World War – was today honoured with a flypast from two Spitfires above her beloved Sussex village before her funeral. 

The adored star, who risked her own life to entertain troops with morale-boosting visits to the front line during the conflict, died aged 103 on June 18 and today the historic aircraft tore across the clear East Sussex sky in a moving tribute to one of Britain’s best-known and best-loved singers.

On her final journey through the picturesque village of Ditchling, mourners including BBC DJ Zoe Ball wiped away tears as they lined the streets to see the hearse carrying her coffin wrapped in a Union Flag, which was guided by members of all three Armed Forces and followed by her family. A service at Brighton Crematorium followed.

Poignantly her funeral coincides with the 80th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain, in which the Royal Air Force defeated the Luftwaffe and staved off invasion from Hitler’s forces in France. 

Minutes after the funeral began the Queen’s official Twitter account said: ‘Today marks the 80th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain, the battle which turned the tide of World War Two. I remember the Battle of Britain being fought in the skies above us, and we shall never forget the courage and sacrifice of that time’.  

Her Majesty sent a private message of condolence to her family while Prince Charles led public tributes after Dame Vera’s death.

A hearse carrying the coffin passes through the town of Ditchling, East Sussex as members of the public gather to pay their respects ahead of the funeral of Dame Vera Lynn today

The flypast over Dame Vera's funeral procession moved many to tears ad Britain also marks 80 years since the start of the Battle of Britain

The flypast over Dame Vera’s funeral procession moved many to tears ad Britain also marks 80 years since the start of the Battle of Britain

The Spitfires, top in D-Day stripes) and the bottom in Battle of Britain colours, swooped over Vera Lynn's funeral three times today

The Spitfires, top in D-Day stripes) and the bottom in Battle of Britain colours, swooped over Vera Lynn’s funeral three times today

The planes - two of the most famous aircraft from the war - took to the skies this morning in tribute to the Forces Sweetheart

The planes – two of the most famous aircraft from the war – took to the skies this morning in tribute to the Forces Sweetheart

The majestic aircraft tore across the English countryside as the country said goodbye to its most famous wartime star

The majestic aircraft tore across the English countryside as the country said goodbye to its most famous wartime star

Dame Vera Lynn's daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, follows her funeral cortege

Dame Vera Lynn, pictured in her final known photograph on May 7 ahead of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, died last month

Dame Vera Lynn’s daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, follows her funeral cortege. Dame Vera Lynn, pictured right in her final known photograph on May 7 ahead of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, died last month

Dame Vera Lynn's daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, looks to the skies after the two planes jetted over

Dame Vera Lynn’s daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, looks to the skies after the two planes jetted over

Service personnel including the Coldstream Guards carry the coffin of forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn into the Brighton Crematorium, East Sussex

Service personnel including the Coldstream Guards carry the coffin of forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn into the Brighton Crematorium, East Sussex

Zoe Ball with her boyfriend Michael Reed among the mourners watching the cortege

Zoe Ball later wiped away tears as she watched the flypast

Zoe Ball with her boyfriend Michael Reed among the mourners watching the cortege and later wiped away tears as she watched the flypast

Dame Vera's coffin was covered in a Union Flag as she took her final journey to Brighton Crematorium

Dame Vera’s coffin was covered in a Union Flag as she took her final journey to Brighton Crematorium

Members of all the Armed Forces shepherded the hearse through the narrow of streets of Ditchling where she had lived for decades

Members of all the Armed Forces shepherded the hearse through the narrow of streets of Ditchling where she had lived for decades

Members of the public line the streets as the funeral cortege of Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn passes through the village of Ditchling

Members of the public line the streets as the funeral cortege of Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn passes through the village of Ditchling

Stories behind five of Dame Vera Lynn’s best-loved hits 

Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn produced a catalogue of music that inspired British servicemen and women at home and abroad. Here are some of her best-loved hits:

– We’ll Meet Again

Dame Vera’s breakout song was written in 1939 at the outset of the Second World War by popular composers Ross Parker and Hughie Charles. Its lyrics were a message of hope and comfort to those who feared they would never see their loved ones again, and buoyed Dame Vera’s burgeoning career. It inspired a popular 1943 film of the same name, which saw Dame Vera play a fictionalised version of herself – a young singer who cheers British soldiers with her voice. The song still resonates with those who lived through the war.

– (There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover

On a clear day, Britain’s towering white coastline could be seen by servicemen across the English Channel fighting in France. Composed in 1941 by Walter Kent to lyrics by Nat Burton, The White Cliffs Of Dover was an ode to those cliffs that symbolised home. Dame Vera popularised the song with her version, and it became one of the best-known Second World War standards. Its lyrics refer to pilots ‘braving those angry skies’ and describe the ‘light of hope in their eyes’.

– A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square

Stars including Sir Rod Stewart, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and even Twiggy have recorded versions of this popular love song. But it was Dame Vera’s version that captured the hearts of the British listening public, indelibly linking it with the Second World War. The tune was written in the small French fishing district of Le Lavandou, shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, and refers to one of Mayfair’s large leafy squares. It was sung by Petula Clark at the 60th anniversary of the end of the conflict, and again by Katherine Jenkins at a star-studded concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of VE Day in 2015.

– There’ll Always Be An England

Written by the duo behind We’ll Meet Again, There’ll Always Be An England is perhaps Dame Vera’s most overtly patriotic song. With lyrics that reference the Empire, country lanes, and cottages tucked beside fields of grain, it carried a message of hope to servicemen abroad. In a satirical twist, 70s punk rockers Sex Pistols came on stage to the tune, and named one of their live DVDs after it.

– Auf Wiederseh’n, Sweetheart

With this song, Dame Vera became in 1952 the first foreign artist to reach number one on the US Billboard charts. It was written by German composer Eberhard Storch around 1950, for his wife who was confined to hospital with a long-term illness. The story goes that Dame Vera was on holiday in Switzerland when she heard people singing the song in a beer parlour. When she returned home to England, she recorded the track with the soldiers and airmen of HM Forces and the Johnny Johnston Singers.

Dame Vera, who will forever be remembered for her ‘magical voice’ and morale-boosting songs such as ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and ‘The White Cliffs of Dover, passed away surrounded by her family last month.  

Dame Vera became a symbol of freedom for the men often thousands of miles from home and songs such as ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ gave them hope in their darkest hours that they would one day return to their loved-ones in Britain.

And at home hits such as ‘There’ll Always Be An England’ gave millions belief better days lay ahead as the Luftwaffe lay siege to UK cities during the Blitz and threatened invasion from France before the Allies swept Hitler’s forces aside. 

While her music was a beacon of hope between 1939 and 1945, her words in ‘We’ll Meet Again’ resonated again in the current coronavirus pandemic with Her Majesty using them to inspire modern Britain to evoke the spirit of its wartime generation and battle through the coronavirus crisis.   

Crowds burst into spontaneous applause as a two iconic Spitfire planes bade farewell to Dame Vera Lynn – who died on June 18 aged 103 – as her funeral cortege made its way today.

Hundreds of people lined the streets in the picturesque village of Ditchling, East Sussex to pay tribute to the We’ll Meet Again singer – known as the Forces Sweetheart during WW2 – who held a special place in the hearts of millions of people.

The bells of the nearby St Margaret’s Church rang a solemn toll as the four-car cortege carrying family members came to a stop at the centre of the medieval village.

Mourners who had gathered along the route clapped and cheered as the distinctive roar of the Merlin engines heralded two WW2 planes overhead.

On what was also the 80th anniversary of the start of the Battle Britain, the two Spitfires flew over the village Dame Vera had called home for more than half a century.

The RAF previously said that a Spitfire and a Hurricane would be flying but it changed at the 11th hour. 

One of the Spitfires was the only surviving one to have actually served in the Battle of Britain as the Luftwaffe was repelled in 1940.

The other bore the black and white ‘invasion stripes’ that Allied aircraft were painted with for D-Day to identify them as ‘friendly’ to our air and ground forces.

The planes arched over the village twice before carrying out a final flypast directly over the cortege at it stood at rest.

The cortege, which was preceded by police outriders, was flanked by members from all the armed services, including three from the Queen’s Guard in full ceremonial uniform.

Inside the hearse Dame Vera’s coffin had a simple bouquet of flowers resting on top and was draped with a Union Jack flag.

The cortege stopped for around 10 minutes alongside three standard bearers from the Royal British Legion before making its way to Woodvale Cemetery in Brighton for a simple family funeral.

May people had travelled the length and breadth of the country to pay tribute to Dame Vera.

William Baker, whose father Ted was a sailor in WWII, was fulfilling a promise to his father to attend the funeral.

He said: “My father fought in the war and saw Vera Lynn when she entertained them on a number of occasions. She became a firm favourite of his and he had all her records and pictures all round the house.

“He said that she helped morale in an unimaginable way by coming to see them. He died 15 or so years ago and before he died he made me promise to attend her funeral so here I am.”

Mark Heywood from Barnsley, who grandfather, James Lenaghan, was killed in Avro Anson crash in the Lake District in 1943, had exchanged letters with Dame Vera over the last few years as he researched his family’s war heritage.

He said: “I wrote to her and she wrote back twice which is amazing and she was extremely helpful. She was a very lovely lady and I thought I should make the journey down to pay my respects. I’m glad I came.”

Former Foreign Office diplomat, Peter Marshall, who lives in Italy, attended with his brother Bernard Marshall, also a retired diplomat.

He said: “For many, many people in this country Dame Vera Lynn symbolises a certain harsh time that all families lived through. Her passing marks the end of an era and it is very moving.”

Ditchling resident, Father Tony Brown, 88 – a retired Anglican priest once known as the Biker Priest – said his brother, who was in Dunkirk also lived in the village and died at the age of 101 in 2018.

He said: “She symbolised everything that was good. Her service to the military was incredible.”

Jonathan Jones, 82, who travelled down from London to pay his respects, said: “Vera Lynn was a symbol of all the good qualities of this nation. Her efforts to keep people’s morale up during the war were incredible.”

Two officers in uniform, Flight Lieutenant Ben Protheroe of the Queen’s Colour Squadron and Senior aircraftswoman, Beth Roberts, had travelled from RAF Northolt to be present.

As the cortege left the village there were still shouts of “hip hip hooray” from the crowd, followed by a spontaneous rendition of Dame Vera’s most famous song We’ll Meet Again.

At the crematorium, members from all the armed services formed route lining party outside the chapel, together with a military bearer party ready to receive the coffin.

A bugler from the Royal Marines played music for the service which was also attended by a senior officer from the Ministry of Defence. 

Members of the RAF, Army and Royal Navy carried the coffin into the crematorium as Britain said goodbye to Dame Vera

Members of the RAF, Army and Royal Navy carried the coffin into the crematorium as Britain said goodbye to Dame Vera

Due to lockdown a private service at the Brighton crematorium chapel was held. The family said a full memorial service would be held at a later date

Due to lockdown a private service at the Brighton crematorium chapel was held. The family said a full memorial service would be held at a later date

The two World War Two fighter planes made three passes over the village. Hundreds of people had gathered to await the arrival of the cortege and the crowd applauded as the aircraft flew over.

The two World War Two fighter planes made three passes over the village. Hundreds of people had gathered to await the arrival of the cortege and the crowd applauded as the aircraft flew over.

Huge numbers took to the streets to see the cortege pass through the village as the residents said goodbye to their most famous daughter

Huge numbers took to the streets to see the cortege pass through the village as the residents said goodbye to their most famous daughter

The streets filled with people who also followed the hearse until it left the village of Ditchling

The streets filled with people who also followed the hearse until it left the village of Ditchling

People also crowded on to the walls around Ditchling to try to catch a view of the coffin as it passed through the streets

People also crowded on to the walls around Ditchling to try to catch a view of the coffin as it passed through the streets

The route a Spitfire and a Hurricane – two of the most famous aircraft from the war – took during a flypast today. It was later changed to two Spitfires

The route a Spitfire and a Hurricane – two of the most famous aircraft from the war – took during a flypast today. It was later changed to two Spitfires

Hundreds of people gathered at the crossroads in Ditchling to see the arrival of Dame Vera Lynn’s funeral cortege.

Representatives from the Royal British Legion were standing in the road with flags as they wait to honour Dame Vera.

A small police presence is on hand to ensure proceedings go smoothly.

Avril Gaynor recalled going round to Dame Vera Lynn’s home in Ditchling for tea over many happy years.

She told PA: ‘She was absolutely wonderful, I loved going to her house.

‘She could take us through the Burma campaign and I thought it was wonderful.

‘It was so lovely to talk with her about all the adventures she had.’

Ms Gaynor, who first met Dame Vera Lynn when she was 10, said today that the Forces Sweetheart changed her life.

She said: ‘It’s so sad but I am glad she is getting a big send-off – to put it mildly. She was a wonderful, wonderful lady and I am so pleased that so many people want to come to pay tribute to her.’

She first met Dame Vera as a girl after becoming friends with her daughter Virginia and going round to the family home for tea.

A few days later she was watching TV with her mother in London and instantly recognised Dame Vera on the screen and realised who she was.

Ms Gaynor, who lives in London, recalled a time about 30 years ago when she was in a car accident and Dame Vera introduced her to a man who could help her.

She said: ‘With her help this guy was so wonderful, put things right for me and clearly it changed the course of my life.

New Zealand singer Vicki Lee recalled how she met Dame Vera Lynn in 2015 after touring singing her songs.

Ms Lee, 67, who lives in Palmerston North on the north island, originally took up singing the songs to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli.

She said Dame Vera encouraged her to keep singing her songs.

Ms Lee said: ‘She told me you don’t need to ask permission to sing these songs because when these songs are sung we are acknowledging and remembering the lives of so many men and women that sacrificed so much so the songs must be kept going because it keeps those memories alive.

‘I can’t tell you how full my heart is for what that lady has done for us all.’

Second World War re-enactor Steve George, 59, has come to Ditchling to pay his respects to Dame Vera Lynn. 

He said: ‘We had a group photograph with Dame Vera, we were all gathered round her dressed as the different generals.

‘She was wonderful, absolutely wonderful, she had time for everybody.’  Mr George, who lives in Crawley, West Sussex, said he came to Ditchling to pay his respects.

Zoe Ball and her partner watched the planes zoom across the Sussex skies in a poignant tribute to the late singer

Zoe Ball and her partner watched the planes zoom across the Sussex skies in a poignant tribute to the late singer

Members of the public gather in the town of Ditchling, East Sussex, to pay their respects ahead of the funeral of Dame Vera Lynn

Members of the public gather in the town of Ditchling, East Sussex, to pay their respects ahead of the funeral of Dame Vera Lynn

Local residents begin to gather in Ditchling, East Sussex, ahead of the funeral for Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn

Local residents begin to gather in Ditchling, East Sussex, ahead of the funeral for Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn

People put up a poster of Vera Lynn, who became a symbol of hope in Britain during World War II

People put up a poster of Vera Lynn, who became a symbol of hope in Britain during World War II

Dame Vera Lynn's photograph is displayed in a window as people line the high street in Ditchling, West Sussex, ahead of her funeral

Dame Vera Lynn’s photograph is displayed in a window as people line the high street in Ditchling, West Sussex, ahead of her funeral

A wreath of poppies and a Union flag on the War Memorial in Ditchling, East Sussex, ahead of the funeral for Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn

A wreath of poppies and a Union flag on the War Memorial in Ditchling, East Sussex, ahead of the funeral for Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn

A display in memory of Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn in the Nutmeg Cafe in Ditchling, where she lived, ahead of her funeral later today

A display in memory of Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn in the Nutmeg Cafe in Ditchling, where she lived, ahead of her funeral later today

A shop window displays the line 'There'll be bluebirds over..' as people line the high street ahead of the funeral of Dame Vera Lynn

A shop window displays the line ‘There’ll be bluebirds over..’ as people line the high street ahead of the funeral of Dame Vera Lynn

Ahead of the day, a giant portrait of the Forces Sweetheart was beamed onto the White Cliffs of Dover to commemorate her life

Ahead of the day, a giant portrait of the Forces Sweetheart was beamed onto the White Cliffs of Dover to commemorate her life

Dame Vera’s daughter: My mother’s charity work was groundbreaking 

English singer Vera Lynn with her daughter Virginia at the piano, September 1956. Virginia lived next door to her mother in Sussex

English singer Vera Lynn with her daughter Virginia at the piano, September 1956. Virginia lived next door to her mother in Sussex

Dame Vera Lynn’s daughter has said she is proud of the difference her mother made with one charity in particular which had ‘a very special place in her heart’.

The Forces’ Sweetheart was founder and president of the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity.

It helps young children with cerebral palsy and other motor learning difficulties to ‘get the best possible start to life’.

The late singer’s daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, the charity’s vice president, said her mother made a difference to the lives of many families.

Anyone who would like to make a donation in Dame Vera’s memory can do so through the charity, she said.

‘My mother first became involved in raising awareness of cerebral palsy in the ’50s when there was very little understanding of the condition and children who suffered from motor learning difficulties were often referred to rather pejoratively as ‘spastic’,’ she said.

‘Along with celebrity chums, including David Jacobs and Wilfred Pickles, she set out to change people’s attitudes towards the disability and help children reach their full potential.

‘There was no-one else raising funds to help at that time, so it was groundbreaking work.’

She added: ‘Although my mother was closely associated with other charities, not least those supporting veterans, the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity always held a very special place in her heart – the children loved her as much as she loved them, and I’m extremely proud of what it has achieved and the difference it has made to so many families’ lives.’

Pilar Cloud, executive manager at the charity, said: ‘We have been extremely honoured to have had Dame Vera Lynn as our president and she was always a very passionate and wonderful ambassador for this charity.

‘Moreover, she has always been hands-on, enjoying participating in sessions, singing songs with the children and setting the tone with real determination to ensure that ‘her families’ were never forgotten.

‘She was very fondly regarded by all of the staff and families, and will be greatly missed by so many people.’

‘My father was in the Army, he used to listen to her music. She was a great encouragement to the troops. It’s the end of an era. But she will never be forgotten.’ 

Ahead of the day, a giant portrait of the Forces Sweetheart was beamed onto the White Cliffs of Dover to commemorate her life.

The cortege left her family home and pause at the crossroads in the centre of the village to allow residents to pay their respects. 

Virginia Lewis-Jones, Dame Vera’s daughter, said: ‘We want to thank everyone for their tremendous support over the past few weeks.

‘My mother always appreciated receiving messages from all over the world, and Ditchling was always particularly special to her, that is why we know she would be touched that so many people want to pay their respects in the village tomorrow.’

Earlier in the day, she asked that people follow Government guidance and respect Ditchling’s residents if they are visiting from somewhere else.

She added: ‘It means so much to us to see my mother’s legacy living on.

‘We are sure her music will endure forever but most importantly, we hope that people will continue to support those charities that she cared about so much.’

Captain Sir Tom Moore also paid tribute to Dame Vera ahead of her private funeral.

Remembering her visit to troops in Burma, the Second World War veteran and NHS fundraiser told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: ‘There she was, this lovely English girl… she was a great person to give us a lot more confidence and we were very, very pleased to see her.’

He recently received a letter from Dame Vera in recognition of the millions he has raised for the NHS and said: ‘I was absolutely thrilled to get a letter from Dame Vera congratulating me on the amount of money that we’d raised for my birthday.

‘She was always so kind, she was lovely, I’ve always had a soft place in my heart for Dame Vera. It was very sad when she died.’

After leaving Ditchling, the cortege will move on to the crematorium in Brighton where a tri-service route-lining party will wait outside the chapel, together with a military bearer party ready to receive the coffin.

A bugler from the Royal Marines will provide a musical tribute inside the chapel, and the Ministry of Defence will be represented by a senior officer who, along with the bugler and the small family group, will be the only people to attend the funeral service.

A full memorial service will be held at a later date.

Dame Vera’s strong association with the famous White Cliffs of Dover was celebrated ahead of the funeral by the projection of a giant portrait of her onto the cliff face.

The image on the 350ft cliffs was visible to ships passing through the Channel, as well as passing planes – and on land it could be seen from the main road and the back gardens of local residents.

Vera Lynn makes a broadcast to the country's troops in May 1945

Vera Lynn at Clarence House in 1975 when she was made a Dame Commander

Vera Lynn makes a broadcast to the country’s troops in May 1945 (left) and at Clarence House in 1975 when she was made a Dame Commander (right)

Vera Lynn with British servicemen in World War II in Burma in 1942 as she risked her own life to be by their side and perform for them

Vera Lynn with British servicemen in World War II in Burma in 1942 as she risked her own life to be by their side and perform for them

Vera Lynn with British servicemen in Burma in 1942 during the Second World War

Vera Lynn with British servicemen in Burma in 1942 during the Second World War

British singer Vera Lynn rehearsing for a BBC Radio show in 1965. Her broadcasting gave hope to millions of people at home and abroad

British singer Vera Lynn rehearsing for a BBC Radio show in 1965. Her broadcasting gave hope to millions of people at home and abroad

Dame Vera Lynn in the garden of the Savoy Hotel, after she was named personality of the century in a nationwide poll in 2000

Dame Vera Lynn in the garden of the Savoy Hotel, after she was named personality of the century in a nationwide poll in 2000

Ms Lewis-Jones said: ‘I feel very honoured to have my mother’s image on the White Cliffs of Dover, which is so closely associated with her, and I know that she would definitely feel the same.’

Following Dame Vera’s death last month, residents of Ditchling spoke of the friendly villager they shared with the world.

Roy Burman, 71, said: ‘She was a character in the village, she joined in, while she was capable, with a lot of the activities and was known and loved by residents.

‘We thought of her as very much our special local lady, although of course we shared her with the rest of the world.’

The Battle of Britain: Hitler’s failed attempt to crush the RAF

In the summer of 1940, as the Nazi war machine marched its way across Europe and set its sights on Britain, the RAF braced for the worst. 

Young men, in their late teens or early twenties, were trained to fly Spitfires and Hurricanes for the coming Battle for Britain, with others flying Blenheims, Beaufighters and Defiants, becoming the ‘aces’ who would secure the country’s freedom from Hitler’s grasp. 

But Britain’s defiance came at a cost. From an estimated crew of 3,000 pilots, roughly half survived the four-month battle, with 544 Fighter Command pilots and crew among the dead, more than 700 from Bomber Command and almost 300 from Coastal Command falling to secure Britain’s skies. 

The losses were heavy, but the Germans, who thought they could eradicate the RAF in a matter of weeks, lost more. 

2,500 Luftwaffe aircrew were killed in the battle, forcing German Air Command to reconsider how easily Britain would fall to an invading Nazi occupation force. 

The pilots who gave everything in the aerial fight for British freedom were named ‘The Few’, after a speech from Sir Winston Churchill, who said: ‘The gratitude of every home in our island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion.

‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’ 

'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few' (pictured: An aerial photograph of Spitfires)

‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few’ (pictured: An aerial photograph of Spitfires) 

After the fall of France to the Axis in May 1940, German High Command considered how best to push the fight across the English Channel to take Britain out of the fight.

Up until mid-July the German campaign consisted of relatively small-scale day and night air raids, targeting towns, aerodromes, ports and the aircraft industry.

But the Luftwaffe was at full readiness, ready to ramp up attacks on ships and ports and eliminate the RAF in the air and on the ground.

After the Allies were defeated in western mainland Europe, the German Air Force set up bases near the Channel to more readily take on Britain, hurriedly establishing the infrastructure needed to co-ordinate an aerial conflict with the UK.

As the Battle of Britain begun, the Royal Air Force consistently downed more Axis aircraft than they lost, but British fighters were often overwhelmed by the greater number of enemy aircraft.

Pictured: One of the most iconic images of the summer of 1940 and the fight above Dunkirk, with Squadron 610's F/Lt Ellis pictured at the head of his section in DW-O, Sgt Arnfield in DW-K and F/O Warner in DW-Q

Pictured: One of the most iconic images of the summer of 1940 and the fight above Dunkirk, with Squadron 610’s F/Lt Ellis pictured at the head of his section in DW-O, Sgt Arnfield in DW-K and F/O Warner in DW-Q

Fighting in France and Norway had left British squadrons weakened as the time now came to defend the homeland from Nazi occupation, but as the year went on, the RAF’s fighting force increased in strength, with more pilots, aircraft and operational squadrons being made available.

The Luftwaffe started a mounting campaign of daylight bombing raids, targeting strategic targets such as shipping convoys, ports, and airfields – and probing inland to force RAF squadrons to engage in an attempt to exhaust them.

German air units also stepped up night raids across the West, Midlands and East Coast, targeting the aircraft industry with the objective of weakening Britain’s Home Defence system, especially that of Fighter Command, in order to prepare for a full-scale aerial assault in August.

Heavy losses were sustained on both sides.

The main Luftwaffe assault against the RAF, named ‘Adler Tag’ (Eagle Day), was postponed from August 10 to three days later due to poor weather.

Hawker Hurricane planes from No 111 Squadron RAF based at Northolt in flight formation, circa 1940

Hawker Hurricane planes from No 111 Squadron RAF based at Northolt in flight formation, circa 1940

Pictured: Squadron 610's fighter pilots, a unit which witnessed some of the most intensive aerial combat in the Second World War (taken at RAF Acklington, in Northumberland, between 17-19 September 1940)

Pictured: Squadron 610’s fighter pilots, a unit which witnessed some of the most intensive aerial combat in the Second World War (taken at RAF Acklington, in Northumberland, between 17-19 September 1940)

The Germans’ plan was to make RAF Fighter Command abandon south east  England within four days and defeat British aerial forces completely in four weeks.

The Luftwaffe battled ruthlessly in an attempt to exhaust Fighter Command through ceaseless attacks on ground installations, which were moved further inland, with airfields in southern England facing intensive daylight raids while night attacks targeted ports, shipping targets and the aircraft industry.

But despite sustaining heavy damage across the south, Fighter Command continued to push back against the Germans in a series of air battles, which inflicted critical losses upon the enemy, who thought the RAF would have been exhausted by this point.

Both sides feared becoming exhausted through the constant engagements.

Pictured: German plans to invade Britain, if naval and air superiority was achieved

Pictured: German plans to invade Britain, if naval and air superiority was achieved

Focus of the German attacks then shifted to London, where the RAF would lose 248 and the Luftwaffe would lose 322 between August 26 and September 6.

By September London had become the primary target of Luftwaffe aggression, with large-scale round-the-clock attacks carried out by large bomber formations with fighter escorts.

German Air Command had still not exhausted the RAF as it had hoped to, and British forces continued to face off against their German counterparts, with Fighter Command pushing back Hitler’s forces, forcing German invasion plans to be postponed.

By October, it had become apparent to the Germans that the RAF was still very much intact, and the Luftwaffe struck against Britain with single-engined modified fighter-bombers, which were hard to catch upon entry and still dangerous on their way out.

By the middle of the month German strategy had pivoted from exhausting the RAF to a ruthless bombing campaign targeting the Government, civilian population and the war economy – with London still the primary target.

But as of November, London became less of a target, with the Battle of Britain morphing into a new conflict – the Blitz.

‘Churchill didn’t beat the Nazis. Vera sang them to death’:  How ‘forces’ sweetheart’ Dame Vera Lynn roused Britons to stand in solidarity against Hitler and during Covid crisis 

Dame Vera Lynn was the ‘forces’ sweetheart’ during the Second World War, performing for troops as they fought enemy forces around the globe with inspirational songs that gave them hope on their darkest days that they would see home again.

Her extraordinary career stretched 96 years, beginning when she was seven and continuing until just six weeks ago when she sang ‘We’ll Meet Again’ with Katherine Jenkins to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

In her final interview before she died, she described her bond with the Allied troops who gave or risked their lives for their country – with her own war effort making her name as enduring as that of Sir Winston Churchill.

Soldiers said her songs gave them determination and hope to defeat Hitler’s war machine so they could return to the homes and families while millions in Britain were also uplifted with her BBC radio show Sincerely Yours comforted soldiers and families with songs such as White Cliffs of Dover and We’ll Meet Again with fans saying she had helped ‘sing the Nazis to death’.

And just last month the Queen used her words to give the nation hope again as she urged millions to stay at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus as it claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Vera Lynn with British servicemen in World War II in Burma in 1942 as she risked her own life to be by their side and perform for them

Vera Lynn with British servicemen in World War II in Burma in 1942 as she risked her own life to be by their side and perform for them

British singer Vera Lynn rehearsing for a BBC Radio show - her broadcasting gave hope to millions of people at home and abroad

British singer Vera Lynn rehearsing for a BBC Radio show – her broadcasting gave hope to millions of people at home and abroad

Dame Vera said on May 8: ‘I’ll never forget how We’ll Meet Again meant so much to all those soldiers going off to war as well as with their families and sweethearts.

’75 years since the end of the war in Europe, the virus has given those lyrics a whole new meaning.

‘I have found the nation’s renewed love for the song very moving. I hope this special duet lifts the spirits of our VE Day veterans and all those separated from loved ones at this time.’

She played a huge role in keeping up the spirits of a civilian population suffering under the Blitz and the troops training at home and fighting overseas.

It is often forgotten that during those momentous days she was still a young woman in her early 20s, yet she travelled thousands of miles, often at great personal risk, to entertain the troops and to comfort them with words of hope.

In particular she visited the ‘Forgotten Fourteenth Army’, which was still fighting the bitter Burma campaign after VE Day.

Dame Vera, who died aged 103, eschewed glamour and the pampered life. She was as much a humanitarian as an entertainer and everybody loved her.

Her work did not end when the war was over – throughout her life, she remained an indefatigable and outspoken supporter of military veterans, through to their old age.

Her songs inspired a spirit of optimism and she spent her career fostering nostalgia which, during the war, was just what people felt they needed.

More recently, her words became a source of comfort to many during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a televised address to the nation, the Queen channelled Dame Vera’s lyrics when she told people separated from their loved ones: ‘We’ll meet again.’

Dame Vera said she had been stirred by the Queen’s words.

‘I watched with the rest of the country and thought it was a great encouragement during these difficult times, but I wasn’t aware that her majesty would use the lyrics at the end of her speech,’ she told the Radio Times.

‘I support her message of keeping strong together when we’re faced with such a terrible challenge.

‘Our nation has faced some dark times over the years, but we always overcome.’

Last month Dame Vera also became the oldest artist to reach the top 40 in the UK album charts.

A collection of her greatest hits reached number 30 in the Official Charts Company rankings following the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Dame Vera supported many charities and was a stalwart of several ex-servicemen’s organisations.

In 1991 she played a key part in forcing the government to end the anomaly under which a war widow who lost her husband after 1973 received a far higher pension than a widow of a soldier who died before that date.

She was also a proud holder of the Burma Star and regularly attended the Burma veterans’ annual reunions.

She was outspoken in her opposition to the Duke of Edinburgh attending the funeral of the Japanese emperor Hirohito.

She felt it was wrong that Philip should go since he was president of the Burma Star Association and the nephew of Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

Vera Lynn with ex-servicemen during a Garden Party held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1950

Vera Lynn with ex-servicemen during a Garden Party held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1950

She urged that a younger member of the royal family represent the Queen to fulfil protocol.

Until 1944, Vera Lynn remained mostly in London but then she made her famous tour of Burma to entertain the troops.

Still only 24, she was stirred into action when she learned that few entertainers went to Burma, where the men of the Fourteenth had called themselves the Forgotten Army.

Her four-month tour started in a Sunderland flying boat. She transferred to smaller and smaller aircraft until she ended up on the road from Rangoon to Mandalay in a battered car.

Describing the experience later, she said it was ‘the trip of a lifetime’ and the smell that haunted her most was the gangrene pervading the field hospitals where she spent hours talking with soldiers.

In all, she flew 25,000 miles during that time and through her songs and talking to the men about home she persuaded them they were not forgotten.

In honour of her contribution she was awarded the Burma Star in 1985.

Vera Lynn was born in London on March 20 1917, the daughter of Bertram and Annie Welch, in East Ham where her father was a plumber on the docks.

She was a schoolgirl of seven at Brampton Road School, East Ham, when she made her performing debut at an East End working men’s club.

Two years later she joined a juvenile troupe and by 1932, at just 15, she was running her own dancing school.

Forces Sweetheart Vera Lynn on her way to testify as a witness at the Old Bailey in 1955

Forces Sweetheart Vera Lynn on her way to testify as a witness at the Old Bailey in 1955

From 1935 she was singing on radio with the famous Joe Loss band and then in 1937 she started to sing with the Ambrose Orchestra, which played in West End nightclubs like the Cafe Royal and the Mayfair.

She remained with Ambrose until 1940.

She was 21 at the outbreak of war and her career was just starting to flower, having already appeared on early, experimental television with Ambrose. In addition, she was doing regular radio broadcasts.

She recounted many years later that on the outbreak of war ‘one of my first thoughts was, ‘There goes entertainment and my career with it”.

‘It seemed to me then that entertainment would be the last thing people were going to worry about once the bombs started falling, but it turned out not to be the case at all.’

Within days she was busier than ever and in 1940 she went solo.

The following year she married Harry Lewis, a clarinet and saxophone player with the Squadronaires. He became her manager and they remained devoted to each other.

She had already been awarded the title Forces Sweetheart in 1939 following a Daily Express poll among its readers when the Army went to France at the beginning of the war.

The competition included Judy Garland, Dinah Shore and Deanna Durbin who were all from the United States, which at that time was neutral.

Vera Lynn was the overwhelming choice, helped by her new but catchy and sentimental song she had begun singing that year, We’ll Meet Again.

In November 1941 she was given her own regular radio programme, Sincerely Yours, which went out after the Sunday evening nine o’clock news, a peak time which had much of the world listening in case the prime minister made an announcement.

She took over one of the largest and most intent audiences, jesting in an interview in later years: ‘Churchill was my opening act.’

The popularity of this music and words programme and her own standing soared, with thousands of servicemen writing song requests to her. However, it came at a low point in the war.

MPs and BBC governors attacked her programme and others like it as having a bad effect on morale.

A month after Sincerely Yours was launched, a minute from the BBC board of governors read: ‘Sincerely Yours deplored. But popularity noted.’

At a BBC planning committee meeting the joint director general, Sir Cecil Graves, said that in making Vera Lynn popular the BBC bore some responsibility for ‘depreciating the morale of our fighting men’.

MPs also complained about the BBC’s musical output of ‘sentimental, sloppy muck’.

Without mentioning Dame Vera, the BBC introduced a new policy eliminating ‘crooning, sentimental numbers, drivelling words, slush and so on’.

Sincerely Yours was taken off the air and a new programme featuring a military band, male voice choir and an unknown tenor replaced it, only to sink into oblivion after a few weeks.

By early 1943 Dame Vera was back again. People came to know her songs like well-loved hymns, and they included We’ll Meet Again, I’ll Be Seeing You, Wishing and If Only I Had Wings.

She was quoted as saying: ‘My songs reminded the boys of what they were really fighting for, precious personal things, rather than ideologies and theories.’

She never aspired to the image of a glamour girl, representing more the girl next door, but tanks rolled into battle with the name ‘Vera’ emblazoned on them or her photograph pasted over the guns.

When the war was over she retired from the stage and microphone to bring up her daughter Virginia at their home in Sussex.

But with a vast following across the world she was soon back at work with her own television show in the 1950s as well as radio work.

She also made her best-selling record Auf Wiederseh’n, Sweetheart, which became the first British record to top the US hit parade, selling more than 12 million copies.

She toured throughout the world, to the US, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

She said: ‘I have never been terribly ambitious. I never wanted to be a Judy Garland or anything, and I wouldn’t change the way I used to sing.

‘If work came along I liked, I would do it. If it interfered with home life for too long or took me away, I wouldn’t.’

Despite her modesty she continued to receive honours, including a DBE in 1975, having already received an OBE in 1969, Show Business Personality of 1975, the Freedom of the City of London in 1978 and the Variety Club International’s Humanitarian Award in 1985.

Dame Vera Lynn (right) celebrating her 90th birthday with Baroness Thatcher at the Imperial War Museum in March 2007

Dame Vera Lynn (right) celebrating her 90th birthday with Baroness Thatcher at the Imperial War Museum in March 2007

Dame Vera Lynn, with Princess Margaret during a reception at the Imperial War Museum in London to celebrate Dame Vera's 80th birthday in March 1997

Dame Vera Lynn, with Princess Margaret during a reception at the Imperial War Museum in London to celebrate Dame Vera’s 80th birthday in March 1997

Battle of Britain veterans pose for photos with Dame Vera Lynn (C) outside the Churchill War Rooms, in London on 20 August 2010

Battle of Britain veterans pose for photos with Dame Vera Lynn (C) outside the Churchill War Rooms, in London on 20 August 2010

Dame Vera Lynn at trhe Nordoff Robins Silver Clef Awards in July 2010

Dame Vera Lynn at trhe Nordoff Robins Silver Clef Awards in July 2010

In 2016 she was ‘surprised’ and ‘honoured’ to be made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour for services to entertainment and charity in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

As well as 14 gold discs she published her autobiography Vocal Refrain in 1975 and a picture book called We’ll Meet Again in 1991.

In later life she busied herself ‘pottering’ about in the garden and insisted she had given up singing for good. ‘I never even sing in the bath,’ she added.

In 2009 she took legal steps regarding the use of her songs on a CD helping to fund the British National Party and in August 2014 she was among more than 200 public figures who signed a letter to The Guardian opposing Scottish independence in the run-up to the independence referendum.

At the age of 101 she was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Classic Brit Awards, which her daughter Virginia collected on her behalf.

A statement from Dame Vera was read at the ceremony.

It said: ‘I never imagined when a small child growing up in East Ham that I would be able to travel around the world as I have done, and seen and experienced so many interesting places and to meet so many interesting people.’

In June 2019, she marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day by recording a voice message which was played to a Royal British Legion cruise organised to commemorate the occasion.

She told the 250 heroes on board: ‘Hello boys, Vera Lynn here. I wish you and your carers a memorable trip to Normandy. It will be nostalgic and sure to bring back lots of memories. Rest assured we will never forget all you did for us. I’m sending you all my best wishes for the trip.’

Later that year, she joined a chorus of famous faces opposing the end of the free, universal TV licence for the over-75s.

Following in the footsteps of Sir Lenny Henry and Dame Helen Mirren, she said she was ‘very upset’ by the move.

‘I can’t understand and am very upset as to why the Government and the BBC want to deprive older people of what is going on in the outside world, when they most need communication,’ she said.

And in 2020, the London Mint Office commissioned a special portrait of Dame Vera as well as a documentary, titled Dame Vera Lynn: The Voice Of A Nation, to celebrate her legacy.

Britain’s Got Talent winner and Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackery unveiled the portrait at the Royal Albert Hall at an event which also saw the film premiere.

The event was also marked be the release of coins dedicated to Dame Vera in tribute to her famous songs, including a free We’ll Meet Again coin. 

Dame Vera Lynn (centre), Petula Clark (left) and Bruce Forsyth singing "We'll Meet Again" during the World War II 60th Anniversary Service at Horse Guards Parade in London in July 2005

Dame Vera Lynn (centre), Petula Clark (left) and Bruce Forsyth singing ‘We’ll Meet Again’ during the World War II 60th Anniversary Service at Horse Guards Parade in London in July 2005

Prince Charles meets Vera Lynn and Tommy Steele at a variety show 'National Salute to the Falklands Task Force' in July 1982 at the London Coliseum

Prince Charles meets Vera Lynn and Tommy Steele at a variety show ‘National Salute to the Falklands Task Force’ in July 1982 at the London Coliseum

Dame Vera Lynn and Katherine Jenkins during Dame Vera Lynn's 90th Birthday Luncheon at the Imperial War Museum in London in March 2007

Dame Vera Lynn and Katherine Jenkins during Dame Vera Lynn’s 90th Birthday Luncheon at the Imperial War Museum in London in March 2007

The Duchess of Cornwall (left) and Dame Vera Lynn at a reception in the Ministry of Defence in London in September 2005

The Duchess of Cornwall (left) and Dame Vera Lynn at a reception in the Ministry of Defence in London in September 2005

(Left to right) Cilla Black, Harry Secombe and Dame Vera Lynn at the Variety Club of Great Britain luncheon in May 1978

(Left to right) Cilla Black, Harry Secombe and Dame Vera Lynn at the Variety Club of Great Britain luncheon in May 1978

Cliff Richard with Dame Vera Lynn during a Variety Club lunch in her honour at the Savoy Hotel in London in July 1975

Cliff Richard with Dame Vera Lynn during a Variety Club lunch in her honour at the Savoy Hotel in London in July 1975

Vera Lynn with Hughie Green and some of the Battle of Britain pilots (left to right) - Flight Lieutenant James (Ginger) Lacey; Group Captain Wilfred Duncan Smith; Wing Commander Paddy Barthropp; Vera Lynn; Hughie Green; Squadron Leader Drobinsky; Group Captain Hugh (Cocky) Dundas, attending the Battle of Britain 25th anniversary ball at the Dorchester Hotel in London in September 1965

Vera Lynn with Hughie Green and some of the Battle of Britain pilots (left to right) – Flight Lieutenant James (Ginger) Lacey; Group Captain Wilfred Duncan Smith; Wing Commander Paddy Barthropp; Vera Lynn; Hughie Green; Squadron Leader Drobinsky; Group Captain Hugh (Cocky) Dundas, attending the Battle of Britain 25th anniversary ball at the Dorchester Hotel in London in September 1965

Vera Lynn and comedian Harry Secombe (right) signing autographs at the tea tables during the 'Not Forgotten' Association annual Christmas party, at the Royal Riding School at Buckingham Palace in December 1956

Vera Lynn and comedian Harry Secombe (right) signing autographs at the tea tables during the ‘Not Forgotten’ Association annual Christmas party, at the Royal Riding School at Buckingham Palace in December 1956

Vera Lynn in the all star television gala performance in aid of the British Commonwealth Games teams in May 1970

Vera Lynn in the all star television gala performance in aid of the British Commonwealth Games teams in May 1970

Vera Lynn at Lionel Bart's show Blitz at the Adelphi Theatre in London in May 1962

Vera Lynn at Lionel Bart’s show Blitz at the Adelphi Theatre in London in May 1962

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