<h1>Happy 100th Dame Vera</h1>

What can you say about a woman who is loved the world over by people of all ages but also is the most humble person I’ve ever met?  It’s a really hard call, but I feel compelled to write a personal tribute to a very dear friend.

Known as The Forces Sweetheart, the much-loved Dame Vera Lynn turns 100 in a few days time.  She is an iconic figure who played such a crucial role of raising not only the nation’s, but also the commonwealth’s, spirits in the darkest days of World War Two.  More importantly, to her mind, she decided to visit some of the most dangerous conflict areas to perform to her beloved ‘boys’ and make them realise they were not forgotten.  She then went on to enjoy a most illustrious music career with performances on stage and screen all over the world. She has had more ‘firsts’ that any other living artist in history and next week, that’s likely to be added to with perhaps another chart-topping album...

Her story is the stuff of legend but what of the real DV (Dame Vera), as she is  affectionately called by me and a number of family friends.  We first met at a Christmas party in 1977 at her next door neighbour’s house and I must confess I didn’t appreciate just how famous she was or how remarkable her career had been.  

The years passed by and I occasionally saw DV at local charity functions and concerts – we only live a couple of miles apart.  Then, through my entertainment agency, I was regularly asked for celebrity speakers for ladies’ luncheons at country house hotels, and a mutual friend suggested I call her to see if she’d be interested, especially if the work could benefit her charity.  Following a phone call, I was invited to have afternoon tea with DV. What I assumed would be an hour of pleasant conversation turned into five hours of highly entertaining chit chat and lots of laughter.  Thus began a very special friendship which has lasted for more than twenty years.

DV has a wonderful sense of humour and a deliciously infectious laugh. She is highly intelligent and knowledgeable about world affairs.  She is kind, caring and affectionate, loves animals and enjoys a little glass of red wine at 6pm with the occasional packet of crisps.  Her favourite TV programmes are Murder She Wrote, Father Brown and Where the Heart Is.

We’ve had some fabulous evenings together at the theatre, concerts, parties and relaxed meals at our homes.  Whenever fish pie was on our supper menu, we’d give DV a quick call, and she’d come and join us.  On one occasion she phoned on a Sunday morning for a quick catch up. I explained I was busy cooking as we had some of the neighbours coming over for lunch and I asked if she wanted to join us.  The look of surprise on our new neighbours’ faces when they saw the legendary Dame Vera Lynn sitting on our sofa was something I’ll never forget.

Over the years, we’ve had some great car journeys together where we’ve sung songs interspersed with gales of laughter.  She has encouraged my own singing (I’m a semi-pro) and given me wonderful opportunities to perform with my choir at prestigious London venues.  Perhaps that’s the bond which cements our friendship... 

I’ve also been privileged to get to know DV’s family and old friends quite well over the years and there are some wonderful personal stories which perfectly illustrate the person behind that unique voice which has perfect diction and a tone that can melt hearts.  

An old school friend of her daughter, Virginia, once told me that DV’s cakes were the best she’d ever tasted and so light they almost floated.  She clearly remembers her cooking skills and was quite surprised that a famous singer was equally as adept at baking as performing on the stage of the London Palladium.  She’s a good gardener too, and her paintings are worthy of her own exhibition.

DV’s charity work is perhaps not as well known as her stage persona but she has been a tireless campaigner for numerous causes – British Legion, SSAFA, Cancer charities, Cerebral Palsy, and Music in Hospitals, to name but a few.  The Children’s Charity which bears her name, and which is located near to her home in West Sussex, is especially close to her heart.  

As DV approaches her centenary, so too is the Post Office’s workload is increasing – in Sussex especially, with the volume of letters and birthday cards arriving at both her home and the charity.  Famous names from the world of show business, politicians and diplomats, servicemen and women, and their families from all around the globe, children from every continent - people from every walk of life and age are writing to wish the one and only Dame Vera Lynn Happy Birthday.

In the meantime, the release of the new album takes place on Friday followed the next day by a star-studded concert charting the story of her life at The London Palladium, which is being staged by her family as a tribute.   Luminaries from the world of entertainment were queuing up to perform and it’s bound to be an evening we’ll never forget.

On DV’s actual birthday, hundreds of pupils from her old school in East Ham will be singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and performing a medley of her famous songs via a live link to her sitting room. I’m sure nothing will give her more pleasure as she watches with her devoted daughter and son-in-law.  In other parts of the world, including New Zealand, Australia, the USA, The Netherlands and Finland, people will be gathering to celebrate our Forces’ Sweetheart’s 100th birthday as they play her enduring songs.

God Bless you Dame Vera from your very proud friend and PA, Susan.

