Dame Vera Lynn, the Forces’ Sweetheart whose songs helped raise morale in World War Two, has died aged 103.
The singer was best known for performing hits such as We’ll Meet Again to troops on the front line in countries including India and Egypt.
Her family said they were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers”.
In a statement, they confirmed she died on Thursday morning surrounded by her close relatives.
Information on a memorial will be announced at a later date.
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Six weeks ago, ahead of the 75th anniversary of VE Day and during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Dame Vera said simple acts of bravery and sacrifice still define our nation.
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A week later, she became the oldest artist to get a top 40 album in the UK, beating her own record when her greatest hits album re-entered the charts at number 30.
Dame Vera, who had sold more than a million records by the age of 22, was also remembered for singing The White Cliffs Of Dover, There’ll Always Be An England, I’ll Be Seeing You, Wishing and If Only I Had Wings.
Her wartime classic We’ll Meet Again was referenced by the Queen in April during a speech to Britons who were separated from families and friends during the coronavirus lockdown.
The late singer’s daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, said she was proud of the difference her mother made through her charity work.
She said the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, which her mother founded to help young children with cerebral palsy, “always held a very special place in her heart”.
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