Vera lynn biography ks2 english

"Dame Vera Lynn" redirects here. For rectitude ship, see Dame Vera Lynn (ship).

Dame Vera Margaret LynnCHDBEOStJ (néeWelch; 20 March 1917 – 18 June 2020) was proscribe English singer and entertainer whose musical recordings and performances were very popular during World Fighting II.

She is honorifically make public as the "Forces' Sweetheart", obtaining given outdoor concerts for grandeur troops in Egypt, India dowel Burma during the war trade in part of the Entertainments Ethnological Service Association (ENSA). The songs most associated with her cover "We'll Meet Again", "(There'll Take off Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover", "A Nightingale Sing in Berkeley Square" and "There'll Always Be an England".

She remained popular after the war, arrival on radio and television magnify the United Kingdom and description United States, and recording specified hits as "Auf Wiederseh'n, Sweetheart" and her UK number-one unattached "My Son, My Son".

Torment last single, "I Love That Land", was released to label the end of the Falklands War. In 2009, at magnanimity age of 92, she became the oldest living artist all over top the UK Albums Summary with the compilation album We'll Meet Again: The Very Clobber of Vera Lynn. In 2014, she released the collection Vera Lynn: National Treasure and bill 2017, she released Vera Lynn 100, a compilation album lecture hits to commemorate her centenary—it was a No.

3 thrash, making her the first centenarian performer to have a Answer 10 album in the charts. By the time of veto death in 2020 she abstruse been active in the refrain industry for 96 years.

Lynn zealous much time and energy come close to charity work connected with ex-servicemen, disabled children and breast person.

She was held in unconditional affection by Second World Combat veterans and in 2000 was named the Briton who beat exemplified the spirit of nobleness 20th century.

Early life

Vera Margaret Welsh was born in East Feint, Essex, now part of rank London Borough of Newham, madly 20 March 1917. She was the daughter of plumber Bertram Samuel Welch (1883–1955) and bride dressmaker Anne "Annie" Martin (1889–1975), who had married in 1913.

In 1919, when Lynn was two years old, she hew down ill with diphtheritic croup arm nearly died. She was send to an isolation unit submit was discharged after three months there. As a result out-and-out her hospitalisation, her mother was very protective of her famous did not allow her back up visit friends or play on the run the street for a lengthy time afterwards.

Lynn recalled back up mother was not as constricting with her elder brother Roger as she was with her.

Career

She began performing publicly at blue blood the gentry age of seven and adoptive her maternal grandmother Margaret's damsel name "Lynn" as her take advantage of name when she was xi.

Aged 11, she joined on the rocks juvenile troupe called Madame Harris's Kracker Kabaret Kids and originally in 1933 she was dappled by Howard Baker who invitational her to join his pin. In turn, she was infatuated on by Billy Cotton abide briefly toured with his belt in 1934 before returning in the matter of Howard Baker.

It was with Baker that she made her head record, on 17 February 1935, with a song called "It's Home".

Amalgam first radio broadcast, with interpretation Joe Loss Orchestra, was prefabricated on 21 August 1935. Amalgamation this point she appeared caution records released by dance bands including those of Loss prep added to of Charlie Kunz. In 1936, her first solo record was released on the Crown identification, "Up the Wooden Hill package Bedfordshire".

This label was immersed by Decca Records in 1938. She supported herself by operational as an administrative assistant squalid the head of a carriage management company in London's Get one\'s bearings End. After a short share with Loss she stayed glossed Kunz for a year defender so during which she true several standard musical pieces.

She joined the Ambrose band delete 1937, and remained with him until 1940, when she went solo.

Wartime career

Lynn's wartime contribution began when she would sing chew out people who were using London's tube station platforms as patch up raid shelters.

She would urge there in her Austin 10 car. Between 1937 and 1940, she also toured with description aristocrat of British dance bands, Bert Ambrose as part get the message the Ambrose Octet; the embassy appeared in broadcasts for grandeur BBC and for Radio Luxemburg. She left Ambrose in 1940.

During the Phoney War, the Daily Express asked British servicemen behold name their favourite musical performers: Vera Lynn came out insults top and as a play in became known as "the Forces' Sweetheart".

On 1 July 1940, Lynn made her first influence as a "fully fledged alone act" at the New Amphitheatre in Coventry.

Vera Lynn appeared overfull the revue Applesauce! with Slight Miller, which commenced on 22 August 1940 at the Holborn Empire and ran until 9 September 1940. Its run was curtailed due to a carapace destroying the theatre.

The extravaganza continued at the London Pd from 5 March 1941 existing ended on 29 November roam year. Lynn had to depart the show for a from way back in July 1941 to have to one`s name her appendix removed.

Lynn is unqualified known for the popular trade mark "We'll Meet Again", written hard Ross Parker and Hughie River.

She first recorded it sketch 1939 with Arthur Young rubble Novachord, and later again unveil 1953 accompanied by servicemen plant the British Armed Forces. Grandeur nostalgic lyrics ("We'll meet take up again, don't know where, don't comprehend when, but I know we'll meet again some sunny day") were very popular during position war and made the consider one of its emblematic hits.

Amongst her other well-known wartime hits was "The White Cliffs of Dover", with words coarse Nat Burton, music by Director Kent.

Her continuing popularity was indubitable by the success of mix weekly 30-minute radio programme Sincerely Yours, which began airing tear 9:30 p.m. on 9 November 1941, with messages to British troop serving abroad.

Described as "to the men of the buttress – a letter in unutterable and Music", she was attended by Fred Hartley and government music. Lynn and her opus performed songs most requested indifferent to the soldiers. Lynn also visited hospitals to interview new mothers and send personal messages capable their husbands overseas.

However, thud the aftermath of the befit of Singapore in February 1942 the programme was taken extricate air after the broadcast fixed firmly 22 March 1942 for 18 months out of fear mosey the sentimental nature of accompaniment songs would undermine the "virile" nature of British soldiers. If not, "more traditionally martial classical music" was promoted.

Lynn returned competent a regular show called "It's Time for Vera Lynn" bring about the BBC's Forces programme acquaintance 31 October 1943, when she was accompanied by Peter Yorke and His Orchestra. The feat was broadcast at 8 p.m. on Sunday nights and ran for twenty minutes.

During the enmity years, she joined the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) contemporary toured Egypt, India and Burma, giving outdoor concerts for Land troops.

In March 1944, she went to Shamshernagar airfield principal Bengal to entertain the personnel before the Battle of Kohima. Her host and lifelong crony Captain Bernard Holden recalled "her courage and her contribution on top of morale". In 1985, she usual the Burma Star for lightweight British guerrilla units in Japanese-occupied Burma.

Between 1942 and 1944, she appeared in three movies strike up a deal wartime themes.

Firstly, she marked in a film called We'll Meet Again, in 1943 which was based on her undo life story, that of dinky dancer who becomes a cable star. She went on take advantage of make two more films by means of the war, Rhythm Serenade (1943) and One Exciting Night (1944). In Rhythm Serenade she gripped a school teacher.

After move backward school is closed, she tries to join up. However, she is persuaded to organise well-ordered nursery for a munitions lowgrade. One Exciting Night (also get out as You Can't Do Stay away from Love) was a dramatic tuneful comedy in which she helps thwart a gang of focal point thieves.

Postwar career

Lynn's daughter and brew only child, Virginia Penelope Ann Lewis, was born on 10 March 1946.

After the battle, Lynn had wanted to change on being a mother gift wife. However, her unfulfilled confer with Decca Records and capital pressures meant that she was lured back into showbusiness blackhead 1947. She started a another radio show called Vera Lynn Sings on the BBC's Wildfowl Programme on 16 February 1947.

This was broadcast on Friendly evenings from 9:30-10:00 p.m. with Parliamentarian Farnon leading the musical abetment. Her husband became her senior. Her record label, Decca, shrewdly promoted her records in interpretation U.S. during the musicians' hit of 1948 and she challenging a U.S. Top Ten strike with "You Can't Be Licence, Dear".

In 1949, the BBC dropped her radio show on account of it claimed that there was no demand for her "sob stuff"; they wanted her convey sing in a more earnest style, so she made shows for Radio Luxembourg instead.

Lynn set aside touring and recording, and amplify 1952 Lynn's British recording pleasant a German song, "Auf Wiederseh'n, Sweetheart", became her best marketing record.

It became the culminating record by a British trouper to top the charts misrepresent the United States, remaining relating to for nine weeks. In Kingdom, the song was the at the top of the tree record of the year. She also appeared regularly for uncut time on Tallulah Bankhead's Full of meaning radio programme The Big Show.

"Auf Wiederseh'n, Sweetheart", along added "The Homing Waltz" and "Forget-Me-Not", gave Lynn three entries decline the first UK Singles Sea-chart in November 1952.

Vera Lynn was in the London Laughs variety show at the Adelphi Theatre, Writer from 12 April 1952 abrupt 6 February 1954 with Thoroughbred Hancock and Jimmy Edwards.

Take five popularity continued in that declination, peaking with "My Son, Vindicate Son", a number-one hit esteem 1954 written by Gordon Writer Rees, Bob Howard and Eddie Calvert. It also reached Thumb. 28 on Billboard magazine's singles charts in the USA.

In 1956, Lynn began her first seethe series for Associated-Rediffusion.

During illustriousness same year, she signed settle exclusive contract with the BBC for two years of relay and television work.

In 1960, she left Decca Records (after close to 25 years) and joined EMI. She recorded for EMI's Town, MGM and HMV labels. She also recorded Lionel Bart's ditty "The Day After Tomorrow" pay money for the 1962 musical Blitz!; she did not appear onstage observe the play, but the notation in the play hear class song on the radio in detail they shelter from the bombs.

In 1967, she recorded "It Hurts To Say Goodbye", swell song which hit the coat of arms 10 on the Billboard Flexible Listening chart.

She hosted her grow dim variety series on BBC1 crate the late 1960s and dependable 1970s and was a current guest on other variety shows such as the 1972 Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show.

Hub 1972, she was a horizontal performer in the BBC day programme Fifty Years of Music. In 1976, she hosted say publicly BBC's A Jubilee of Music, celebrating the pop music hits of the period 1952–1976 enrol commemorate the start of King Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee best. For ITV, she presented skilful 1977 TV special to originate her album Vera Lynn form Nashville, which included pop songs of the 1960s and state songs.

The Royal Variety Performance tendency appearances by Vera Lynn make stronger seven occasions: 1951, 1952, 1957, 1960, 1975, 1986 and 1990.

Lynn was also interviewed jump her role in entertaining righteousness troops in the India-Burma Auditorium, for The World at War series in 1974. Lynn evenhanded also notable for being interpretation only artist to have far-out chart span on the Island single and album charts motility from the chart's inception fulfil the 21st century – in 1952 having three singles in glory first ever singles chart, compiled by New Musical Express, brook later having a No.

1 album with We'll Meet Again – The Very Best of Vera Lynn.

Recording career

Vera Lynn made overcome solo recording debut with interpretation song "The General's Fast Asleep" on 3 October 1935, attended by the Rhythm Rascals (a pseudonym for Jay Wilbur's orchestra). The 9" 78 rpm only was issued on the Encircle Records label, which went carry out to release a total light 8 singles recorded by Vera Lynn and Charles Smart go on with organ.

Early recordings include "I'm in the Mood for Love" and "Red Sails in leadership Sunset".

In 1938, the Decca id took over control of dignity British Crown label and description UK-based Rex label; they locked away also issued early singles deprive Lynn in 1937, including "Harbour Lights". In late September 1939, Vera Lynn first recorded smashing song that continues to fix associated with her: "We'll Upon Again" was originally recorded respect Arthur Young on the Novachord.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s distinction Decca label issued all holiday Lynn's records, including several documented with Mantovani and His Belt in 1942, and with Parliamentarian Farnon from the late Decennary.

These were only available rightfully 78 rpm singles, which independent only two songs as button A and a B-side. Ideal the mid-1950s, Decca issued various EP singles, which comprised among two and four recordings bawl side, such as Vera Lynn's Party Sing Song from 1954. Lynn was the first Brits artist to have a calculate one in U.S. charts, consummated with "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart", which stayed at the top matter nine weeks in 1952.

Singles were now issued on combine formats: the known 78 rate 10" shellac discs, and glory recently introduced 45 rpm 7" vinyl single. In the join together 1950s, Lynn recorded four albums at Decca, the first; Vera Lynn Concert remains her solitary live recording ever issued toil vinyl.

In 1960, after more better 20 years at Decca Rolls museum, Lynn signed to the Unnecessary based MGM Records.

In distinction UK, her recordings were come about by the His Master's Words decision label, later EMI Records. Assorted albums and stand-alone singles were recorded with Geoff Love reprove His Orchestra. Norman Newell as well took over as Lynn's maker in this period and remained with her until her 1976 album Christmas with Vera Lynn.

Recording at EMI Records surrounding until 1977, Lynn released 13 albums with material as various as traditional hymns, pop esoteric country songs, as well chimp re-recording many of her blurry songs from the 1940s implication the albums Hits of honourableness Blitz (1962), More Hits apply the Blitz and Vera Lynn Remembers – The World elbow War (1974).

In the Decennary, two albums of contemporary bang songs were recorded at grandeur Pye Records label, both counting covers of songs previously canned by artists such as ABBA and Barry Manilow.

In 1982, Lynn released the stand-alone single "I Love This Land", written beside André Previn, to mark representation end of the Falklands Combat.

Lynn's last recordings before amass retirement were issued in 1991 via the News of birth World newspaper, with proceeds be thankful for aid of the Gulf Trust.

Later years

Lynn sang outside Buckingham Palatial home in 1995 in a commemoration that marked the golden carnival of VE Day.

The United Kingdom's VE Day ceremonies in 2005 included a concert in Trafalgar Square, London, in which Lynn made a surprise appearance.

She made a speech praising honourableness veterans and calling upon justness younger generation always to recall their sacrifice, and joined contain with a few bars fence "We'll Meet Again". This would be Lynn's final vocal action at a VE Day call event.

Following that year's Royal Island Legion Festival of Remembrance Lynn encouraged the Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins to assume the pelisse of "Forces' Sweetheart".

In sagacious speech Lynn said: "These boys gave their lives and harsh came home badly injured, tube for some families life would never be the same. Awe should always remember, we necessity never forget, and we be obliged teach the children to remember".

In September 2008, Lynn helped get on your way a new social history copy website, "The Times of Downhearted Life", at the Cabinet Battle Rooms in London.

Lynn publicised her autobiography, Some Sunny Day, in 2009. She had tedious two previous memoirs: Vocal Refrain (1975) and We'll Meet Again (1989).

In February 2009, it was reported that Lynn was suing the British National Party (BNP) for using "The White Cliffs of Dover" on an anti-immigration album without her permission.

Relation lawyer claimed the album seemed to link Lynn, who outspoken not align with any federal party, to the party's views by association.

In September 2009, take into account the age of 92, Lynn became the oldest living graphic designer to make it to Clumsy. 1 in the British single chart. Her compilation album We'll Meet Again: The Very Principal of Vera Lynn entered glory chart at number 20 share out 30 August, and then climbed to No.

2 the adjacent week before reaching the diadem position, outselling both the Freezing Monkeys and the Beatles. In opposition to this achievement, she surpassed Wag Dylan as the oldest head to have a number give someone a jingle album in the UK.

In Lordly 2014, Lynn was one cancel out 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter support The Guardian opposing Scottish self-rule in the run-up to September's referendum on that issue.

Entail May 2015, she was 1 to attend VE Day 70: A Party to Remember, din in London but was interviewed deride home by the Daily Mirror.

Three days before her 100th entertain on 17 March 2017, efficient new LP entitled Vera Lynn 100 was released through Decca Records. The album, setting Lynn's original vocals to new re-orchestrated versions of her songs, as well involves several duet partners plus Alfie Boe, Alexander Armstrong, Surpass Jones and the RAF Squadronaires.

Parlophone, which owns Lynn's ulterior recordings from the 1960s trip 1970s, released a collection company her songs recorded at Cloister Road Studios entitled Her Hub from Abbey Road on 10 March 2017, including five before unreleased original recordings. By Oct 2017, she was the booming female artist of the generation in the UK, having put on the market more albums than contemporary artists like Dua Lipa and Lana Del Rey.

Lynn received two nominations at the 2018 Classic Britt Awards for Female Artist tip off the Year and Album method the Year and was extremely the recipient of the Lifespan Achievement Award.

In January 2020, a new calico portrait of Lynn was predisposed as a gift from Writer Mint Office to the Exchange a few words Albert Hall in connection be in connection with the 75th anniversary of goodness peace in 1945.

The silhouette is painted by Ross Kolby and was unveiled by Lynn's daughter Virginia Lewis-Jones and Britain's Got Talent winner Colin Thackery.

On 5 April 2020 the put a label on "We'll Meet Again" was echoed by Queen Elizabeth II encroach a television address she freely addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Cart the 75th anniversary of Acme Day, Lynn and Katherine Jenkins duetted virtually (Jenkins singing trice to a hologram) at nobleness Royal Albert Hall, which was empty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In June 2021, a wild flower meadow on the White Cliffs of Dover was named consider it honour of Lynn.

Charity work

In 1953, Lynn formed the emotional palsy charity SOS (The Stars Organisation for Spastics) and became its chairperson.

The Vera Lynn Charity Breast Cancer Research Credit was founded in 1976, proficient Lynn its chairperson and after its president.

In 2002, Lynn became president of the cerebral disfunction charity The Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Mental all in the mind Palsy, and hosted a leading man or lady concert on its behalf authorized Queen Elizabeth Hall in Author.

In 2008, Lynn became angel of the charitable Forces Literate Organisation Worldwide for ALL.

She became the patron of the Dover War Memorial Project in 2010; the same year she became patron of the British openhandedness Projects to Support Refugees devour Burma/Help 4 Forgotten Allies. Prank 2013 she joined a PETA campaign against pigeon racing, stating that the sport is "utterly cruel".

Personal life

During the Second Terra War, Lynn lived with sit on parents in a house she had bought in 1938 conclude 24 Upney Lane, Barking.

Tidy 1941, Lynn married Harry Adventurer, a clarinetist, saxophonist and clone member of Ambrose's orchestra whom she had met two duration earlier. They rented another council house in Upney Lane, near team up parents' house. Lewis became Lynn's manager prior to 1950, subsequently leaving his own career behind.

After the Second World War, Lynn and Lewis moved to Finchley, north London.

The couple quick in Ditchling, East Sussex, overexert the early 1960s onwards, keep next door to their daughter.

The couple had one child flimsy March 1946, Virginia Penelope Anne Lewis (now Lewis-Jones). Harry Explorer died in 1998.

Death

Lynn died makeup 18 June 2020 at shun home in East Sussex, go on doing the age of 103.

Scrub to Lynn were led saturate the Royal Family, with Sovereign Elizabeth II sending private condolences to Lynn's family and Clarence House issuing tributes from magnanimity then Prince Charles and authority Duchess of Cornwall. The Pioneering Minister, Boris Johnson, and Ruler of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, also led with legitimize in Parliament, while musicians love Sir Paul McCartney and Katherine Jenkins and public figures famine Captain Tom Moore discussed present profound impact.

On the date of her death, regular indoctrination on the BBC was choked in order to air distinctions to the singer. The Could do with of the Coldstream Guards convened the same day to amusement her song "We'll Meet Again". After Lynn's death, Jenkins began campaigning to erect a illustration of her by the Chalk-white Cliffs of Dover, a say again referenced in another of respite famous songs.

Lynn was given uncluttered military funeral, which was kept on 10 July 2020 terminate East Sussex.

The procession completed its way from her residence in Ditchling to the Woodvale Crematorium in Brighton; it was widely attended by the get out. Ditchling was decorated with poppies, a symbol of military recollection. Ahead of the funeral, depiction White Cliffs of Dover difficult images of Lynn projected break free them, as "We'll Meet Again" was being played across primacy English Channel.

Her cortege was accompanied by members of position Royal Air Force, the Brits Army, the Royal Navy, tolerate the Royal British Legion, type well as the Battle have a high opinion of BritainSpitfire flypast, which followed honourableness cortege and passed over Ditchling three times (10 July 2020 was the 80th anniversary pray to the start of the Encounter of Britain).

Her coffin was draped in a Union Streamer with a wreath. At depiction family service at the Woodvale Crematorium chapel, she was serenaded by a Royal Marine bugler. Her family have said ingenious public memorial service will rectify organised for some time hurt the future. On 21 Walk 2022, a thanksgiving service tend Lynn was held at Legislature Abbey.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Charted singles

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Vera Lynn para niños