Dame Vera Margaret Lynn (nee Welch), born in 20 March 1917, in East Ham, Essex, England, was widely referred to as the “Forces’ Sweetheart” during World War 2. She was an English singer, songwriter and entertainer, who were part of the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) which gave outdoor concerts for the troops. Here, we remember the life and music of Vera Lynn, who shone a light through her voice, in the midst of war

1. Image source: telegraph.co.uk
John Eilermann St Louis
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The life and music of Vera Lynn in WW 2
May 19, 2021 John Eilermann St Louis
Dame Vera Margaret Lynn (nee Welch), born in 20 March 1917, in East Ham, Essex, England, was widely
referred to as the “Forces’ Sweetheart” during World War 2. She was an English singer, songwriter and
entertainer, who were part of the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) which gave
outdoor concerts for the troops. Here, we remember the life and music of Vera Lynn, who shone a light
through her voice, in the midst of war. John Eilermann (https:twitter.com=)
Vera Lynn began singing, touring men’s clubs at the
age of 7. But it was only at the age of 11 when Vera
went to adopt her grandmother’s maiden name
(Lynn) as she joined the singing troupe Madame
Harris’s Kracker Kabaret Kids. In 1935, Vera Lynn
had an opportunity to sing with the Joe Loss
Orchestra in what would be her first radio
performance. Two years later, in 1937, Lynn recorded
her first hits “The Little Boy Santa Claus Forgot” and
“Red Sails in the Sunset.” John Eilermann
(https:www.pinterest.com=)
Lynn’s popularity during the war began when she
would sing to people who were using the London’s
tube station platforms as air raid shelters. Vera
Lynn’s name came on top of a list of favorite
performers as a result of a survey of British
servicemen. She continuously performed with her
quartet, doing songs most requested by soldiers. Her
wartime hits include “We’ll Meet Again” and the
“White Cliffs of Dover.” John Eilermann
Vera Lynn continued to perform even after the war.
In 1969, Lynn became an Officer of the Order of the
British Empire (OBE), and in 1975, was created a
Dame Commander of the Order of the British
Empire (DBE). She wrote three memoirs – Vocal
Refrain (1975), We’ll Meet Again (1989; with Robin
Cross & Jenny de Gex), and Some Sunny Day
(2009). Vera Lynn died in 18 June 2020 at the age of
103. John Eilermann (https:www.behance.net=)
Tagged the Forces’ Sweetheart, Vera Lynn

2. Image source: media.npr.org
Published by John
Eilermann St Louis
Hi, I’m John Eilermann from St. Louis, Missouri,
and I’m a student of comparative literature.
Growing up, I fell in love with literature
beginning with works of Roald Dahl, C.S. Lewis,
and other authors of their time. The freedom
literature brings to a culture is vital in the study of
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