And yesterday the legacy of Dame Vera Lynn was remembered at a thanksgiving service in London to celebrate the life and work of the singer in times of war.
The service was held at Westminster Abbey with members of her family, friends from the world of music, representatives of charities she supported and members of the Armed Forces in attendance.
Among those in the congregation were Katherine Jenkins, Alan Titchmarsh and Ilkley-born Jonathan Dimbleby, and the Royal British Legion’s central band greeted those in attendance on their arrival and enacted their departure.
TV outfielder Titchmarsh gave Dame Vera a personal memento, in the inset, recalling how he was often “impressed by the force of her voice” that raised the hairs on the back of his neck.
He also talked about how lucky he felt to have interacted with her on several occasions, saying that “it leaves happy memories and admiration in equal parts.”
Announcer Dimbleby recalled a letter written by Dame Vera where she admitted she didn’t like the jungle, but when she saw the soldiers’ faces as she performed, she wrote that “there was no other place” she would rather be and she “sang her heart out.” ” for them.
The service was presided over by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev. Dr. David Hoyle.
Performers included singer Katie Ashby and the D-Day Darlings who performed Dame Vera’s classic The White Cliffs of Dover.
The singer’s former wartime personal assistant, Susan Fleet, read a poem, titled Goodnight Sweetheart by Michael Claughton, and lyricist Sir Tim Rice also gave a Bible reading from Corinthians.
Opera singer Jenkins closed the service with a moving rendition of We’ll Meet Again, which was followed by the National Anthem.
Dame Vera, inset, had a celebrated career as an artist that spanned more than 90 years. She died in June 2020 at the age of 103.
He captured the hearts of the nation during World War II with his uplifting musical performances and recordings. She subsequently became known as the “Forces Sweetheart”, performing for the troops as part of the National Entertainment Service Association.
His most popular songs encapsulated the spirit of wartime Britain and included We’ll Meet Again, The White Cliffs Of Dover and A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square.
He became heavily involved with charity work later in his life. In particular, she campaigned for the Burma Star Association, a British veterans’ association for men and women who served in the Burma Campaign during World War II.
Dame Vera’s successful career continued long after World War II, with her version of the song My Son, My Son reaching number one in the UK singles charts in 1954.
In 2009, at the age of 92, Dame Vera became the oldest living artist to top the UK Albums Chart with We’ll Meet Again: The Very Best of Vera Lynn.
She was made a Dame in 1975 and a Companion of Honor in 2016.
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Source: www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-03-21 19:45:29
