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Dame Vera Lynn has died aged 103.<\/p>\nDame Vera Lynn has died aged 103.<\/p>\n
The singer entertained troops with morale-boosting visits to the front line during the Second World War.<\/p>\n
Her family said in a statement they were \u201cdeeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain\u2019s best-loved entertainers at the age of 103\u201d.<\/p>\n
They added: \u201cDame Vera Lynn, who lived in Ditchling, East Sussex, passed away earlier today, 18 June 2020, surrounded by her close family.<\/p>\n
\u201cFurther information regarding a memorial service will be announced at a later date.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, ahead of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Dame Vera spoke of remembering \u201cthe brave boys and what they sacrificed for us\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Queen referenced the title of one of Dame Vera\u2019s most beloved wartime songs when she told the country, separated from families and friends during the coronavirus lockdown: \u201cWe will meet again.\u201d<\/p>\n
She was also fondly remembered for singing The White Cliffs Of Dover, There\u2019ll Always Be An England, I\u2019ll Be Seeing You, Wishing and If Only I Had Wings, to help raise British spirits during the Blitz.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy songs reminded the boys of what they were really fighting for,\u201d she once said. \u201cPrecious, personal things, rather than ideologies and theories.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dame Vera later had her own television show and toured the world.<\/p>\n
She remained an outspoken supporter of military veterans throughout her life.<\/p>\n
In May, she urged the nation to \u201cremember the brave boys and what they sacrificed for us\u201d.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cThey left their families and homes to fight for our freedom and many lost their lives trying to protect us and our liberties.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also encouraged the British public to \u201crediscover that same spirit that saw us through the war\u201d amid the coronavirus pandemic, in a special message before she turned 103 in March.<\/p>\n
Dame Vera was born in East Ham, east London, on March 20, 1917.<\/p>\n
She performed for troops during the war, often at great personal risk, in countries including Egypt, India and Burma.<\/p>\n
In May this year, Dame Vera became the oldest artist to score a top 40 album in the UK.<\/p>\n
The 103-year-old saw her greatest hits album 100 re-enter the chart at number 30, boosted by commemorations for the 75th anniversary of VE day on May 8.<\/p>\n