Vera Lynn, who entertained British troops during World War II with songs that captured a longing for home and peace, has died at the age of 103.
Dame Lynn was known as the Forces' Sweetheart and was best known for her song We'll Meet Again. She was most recently in the spotlight during Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May, when the UK - in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic and still house-bound - was invited to sing along to the famous tune.
The song was also referenced by Queen Elizabeth II during her April coronavirus address, when she assured the nation that, "We will be with our friends again. We will be with our families again. We will meet again."
Sir Cliff Richard paid tribute to her on Thursday saying: "Dame Vera Lynn was truly an icon. She was held in such high esteem and my best, and favourite, memory was sharing a performance with her in front of Buckingham Palace for the VE Day celebrations in 1995.
"We walked to the stage through a crowd of survivors of that war, and they were reaching out to touch and get a smile from Vera.
"I heard the words ... 'God bless you' ... 'Thank you' ... 'We love you' for their very own Forces' Sweetheart! A great singer, a patriotic woman and a genuine icon."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also paid tribute to Dame Vera, saying her "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".
Pilar Cloud, executive manager of the Dame Vera Lynn Children's Charity, said: "We have been extremely honoured to have had Dame Vera Lynn as our president and she was always a very passionate and wonderful ambassador for this charity.
"Moreover, she has always been hands-on, enjoying participating in sessions, singing songs with the children and setting the tone with real determination to ensure that 'her families' were never forgotten.
"She is very fondly regarded by all of the staff and families, and will be greatly missed by so many people."
Sir Tim Rice said: "Dame Vera Lynn was one of the greatest ever British popular singers, not just because of her immaculate voice, warm, sincere, instantly recognisable and musically flawless.
"She will be remembered just as affectionately for her vital work in the Second World War and for her own Charitable Foundations in the 75 years since. A link with more certain times has been irrevocably broken."
Dame Vera Lynn poses for photographs in 2009. Source: AFP
Singer Katherine Jenkins said: "I simply cannot find the words to explain just how much I adored this wonderful lady.
"Her voice brought comfort to millions in their darkest hours, her songs filled the nation's hearts with hope, and her emotive performances, whether home or abroad, then or now, helped to get us through.
"It was she who chose the sentiments of her songs - she knew instinctively what people needed to hear, how to rally the morale and her spirit and strength created the soundtrack of a generation.
"There will never be another Dame Vera Lynn. Forces' Sweetheart and our sweetheart. An icon. A legend. An inspiration. My mentor and my friend. I will miss you greatly and I know we'll meet again some sunny day."
