Vera Lynn, “We’ll Meet Again” Singer, Dies At 103

British singer Vera Lynn died on at age 103 last Thursday morning. Lynn rose to fame during World War II when she became known as “The Forces Sweetheart” as she performed for U.K. troops around the world. She became best known for her songs “The White Cliffs of Dover” and “We’ll Meet Again.” 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted in honor of Lynn. “Dame Vera Lynn’s charm and magical voice entranced and uplifted our country in some of our darkest hours. Her voice will live on to lift the hearts of generations to come,” Johnson said.

Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer wrote, “RIP Dame Vera Lynn, the Forces’ Sweetheart. Her songs still speak to the nation in 2020 just as they did in 1940.”

In the peak of her fame, Lynn had her own radio show titled Sincerely Yours where she addressed soldiers in the form of a letter. 

Lynn became the first British singer to reach the number 1 spot on the United States charts in 1952 with her song “Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart.” In 1964, her music was featured in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove which satirized the Cold War and the fears it brought on about a nuclear weapons.  

Towards the end of career Lynn became very involved in charity and focused on supporting veterans. However, in coming out of a long retirement, Lynn became one of the oldest living artist to be in the top 20 of the U.K.’s Official Album Chart at age 93 in 2009. She was able to do this with the collection Vera Lynn: National Treasure.

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