A very special Happy Birthday to Dame Vera Lynn, who celebrated 95 years on March 20 – a dearly loved icon whose place in the history of our nation is legendary.

Her unique service on the wireless during the Second World War gave immeasurable comfort and reassurance to anxious families at home and their precious sons serving overseas.

Dame Vera’s poignant lyrics, with their meaningful words, retain a very significant place in the ever changing realm of music. Her frequent visits to our boys abroad boosted morale and meant so much in the turmoil and sheer terror of war.

She was interviewed in 2011 against a scenic projection of the historically famous White Cliffs of Dover. Ever fearless to speak her mind, her response to a reference concerning the war in Afghanistan was “I don’t know what we are doing there”, reiterating the views of almost 80 per cent of our people in recent polls.

With our love, pride and deep gratitude to Dame Vera Lynn, the forces sweetheart, we say “thanks for the memory”.

Mary Ratcliffe Ex WRNS WWII P5 Enigma Ultra Eastcote Old Town