OUR PATRON DAME VERA LYNN
DBE LLD
The much loved Dame
Vera LYNN DBE LLD is Patron to The London Taxi Benevolent Association
for War Disabled.
Dame Vera was born in London and entered
the world of entertainment at a very young age, showing a remarkable
talent for dancing, however, it was her voice that made many
of the great orchestral leaders such as Joe LOSS and AMBROSE take
notice and she was quickly a massive success with their audiences.
During a very successful period with AMBROSE,
Dame Vera met the man she would soon marry. Harry Lewis and Dame
Vera became sweethearts, eventually married and Harry went on
to manage Dame Vera's career.
Shortly after the outbreak of WW2 Dame
Vera began her own BBC Radio broadcasts called 'Sincerely
Yours' with the opening signature song 'Wishing' forging
a link between fighting troops overseas and their loved ones
at home. It was at this time that great songs such as "The
White Cliffs of Dover" and "We'll Meet Again" became
firmly established as "anthems" of their time and are still enthusiastically
received to this day.
Dame Vera decided to enter the film
world and made three films, again appearing with top flight entertainers
such as Jimmy JEWEL and Ben WARRISS,
Richard MURDOCH and the Orchestra of GERALDO.
These films were very warmly received by her huge public following.
Touring overseas to entertain Our Armed Services, Dame Vera visited
troops even as far a field as Burma, eventually to become known
as "the Forces Sweetheart". She was greeted with standing ovations
of love and appreciation everywhere.
After WW2 ended Dame Vera's success
continued to rocket and she returned to London's West End to
star in hit shows playing to sell out audiences, appearing with
actors, such as Tony HANCOCK and Professor Jimmy EDWARDS both
of whom went on to receive success in their own right. Further
appearances on radio and by now television, brought almost unrivalled
fame to Dame Vera but she never forgot her adoring fans and continued
to record albums, one of which featured a Top Ten LENNON and MCCARTNEY of
The Beatles song entitled 'The Fool on the Hill'.
In 1969, Dame Vera received an OBE and
made Dame of the British Empire in 1975. Now living quietly in
retirement she continues to support our Association, especially
the annual and very popular visit to Worthing and fondly remembers
attending War Veterans, who give her rousing applause whenever
she appears there.
"Dame Vera LYNN DBE. LLD. We
salute you and we thank you."
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