Dame Vera Lynn

The West End Kids have recorded “Not Forgotten” with forces sweetheart, Dame Vera Lynn. The recording has royal approval and will be released in support of the “Not Forgotten” and “Dame Vera Lynn Forces Charity” to raise money for British Troops. The recording will be played at Buckingham Palace later this year for Princess Ann who is patron for the Not Forgotten Charity.

Dame Vera Lynn is the original “forces sweetheart”, famous for such songs as “We’ll Meet Again” and “White Cliffs of Dover”. In 1940, one year after the beginning of World War II, Lynn began her own radio programme, Sincerely Yours, sending messages to British troops serving abroad. She and a quartet would perform songs most requested by the soldiers. Lynn also visited hospitals to interview new mothers and send personal messages to their husbands overseas. During the war years she would tour Egypt, India, Burma, giving outdoor concerts for the troops.

Vera Lynn was appointed an Officer (OBE) of the Order of the British Empire in 1959, and a Dame Commander of the Order (DBE) in 1975. In 2000, she received a special “Spirit of the 20th Century” Award.  In 1976, the charity Breast Cancer Research Trust, was founded, with Lynn its chairperson and later its president.

West End Kids are delighted to lend their support to Dame Vera Lynn the Not Forgotten and Dame Vera Lynn charities and also the British Troops currently serving in conflicts around the world. Details of the release will be available at www.westendkids.co.uk shortly.