Dame Vera Lynn RIP

The words "A nation mourns" were initially a cliché and then mostly used in parody, but they convey something of what millions of people will be feeling at the news that the wartime "forces sweetheart" Dame Vera Lynn died in the early hours of yesterday morning at the age of 103.

As recently as six weeks ago when Britain commemorated the 75th anniversary of VE day, Dame Vera's wartime hits such as "We'll meet again" and "There'll be bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover were broadcast and Dame Vera, projected as a hologram, performed the former with Katherine Jenkins at the Royal Albert Hall.

HM the Queen, who had been a friend of the singer for decades, was one of the first to be told and was said to be "very, very sad." at the news of her passing.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to the singer, saying: 

“Dame Vera Lynn’s charm and magical voice entranced and uplifted our country in some of our darkest hours. Her voice will live on to lift the hearts of generations to come.”

Captain (and Honorary Colonel) Sir Tom Moore, the veteran who recently raised £33m for NHS charities, tweeted:

“She had a huge impact on me in Burma and remained important to me throughout my life.”

She will be missed.

Rest in Peace.

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