Vera Lynn.

Vera Margaret Welch

Born 20 Mar 1917 East Ham, United Kingdom

Died 18 Jun 2020 Ditchling, United Kingdom

Citizenship United Kingdom

Would Be 109 yr If Living

11 min read

Reading time

2,023

Words

Oct 14, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Vera Lynn, born Vera Margaret Welch in 1917, became the first British female to top the US Billboard chart in 1952 with ‘Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart’. Called the ‘Forces Sweetheart’, she entertained troops during World War II, visiting remote camps in Burma. At age 92, she became the oldest living artist to top the UK album chart in 2009. She died in 2020 at age 103.

Identity & family.

KIN · 1

Names, aliases, and relatives of Vera Lynn — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Vera Margaret Welch

Nicknames The Forces Sweetheart

Aliases Dame Vera Lynn D.B.E., Dame Vera Lynn, Dame Vera Lynne

Spouses: Harry Lewis

At a glance.

STATS

Vera Lynn by the numbers — life, work, and family.

103 Years lived

7 Awards

1 Marriage

Who was Vera Lynn?

BIOGRAPHY

Vera Lynn — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Vera Margaret Welch was born on 20 March 1917 in East Ham, London. She started singing at church concerts at age seven and joined a young people’s choir at eleven. She took her grandmother’s maiden name Lynn as her stage name. After leaving school at 14, she briefly worked in a factory before returning to singing in clubs. Her first professional gig was with Billy Cotton’s band in 1934.

Career

Vera Lynn first sang on radio with Joe Loss’s orchestra in 1935. During World War II, she gained fame with her BBC radio show Sincerely Yours and by entertaining troops in Burma. Her song ‘We’ll Meet Again’ 1939 became an anthem of hope. In 1952, she became the first British woman to top the US Billboard chart with ‘Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart’. That same year she had three top ten hits on the first official UK Singles Chart. She topped the UK chart in 1957 with My Son, My Son. She appeared in films such as Rhythm Serenade 1943 and made a cameo in Hellboy 2004.

Personal life

Vera Lynn married Harry Lewis, a musician in the Bert Ambrose orchestra, on 11 August 1941. They had one daughter, Virginia Penelope Ann Lewis, born 10 March 1945. After Harry’s death in 1998, Vera lived in Ditchling, East Sussex, where she remained until her death.

Legacy

Vera Lynn’s song ‘We’ll Meet Again’ was used in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove 1964 and referenced by Pink Floyd on their album The Wall. She was awarded the OBE in 1969, DBE in 1975, and Companion of Honour in 2016. A memorial service was held at Westminster Abbey in 2022. She is remembered as the Forces Sweetheart and the oldest living artist to top the UK album chart.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 7

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Vera Lynn — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
War Medal 1939–1945
Burma Star
Officer of the Order of Saint John
Companion of Honour
Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau
Classic Brit Awards

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 3

A wall of memorable lines from Vera Lynn — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

I’ve Never Claimed to Be a Great Singer but I’ve Always Given My Best, and I’ve Loved What I’ve Done, and Had a Very Good Life.
You Hear People Go on About Unpopular Wars, but Show Me a Popular One. Nobody in Their Right Mind Wants to Go to War, but When It Happens You Have to Get Behind Your Troops.
I Got so Many Letters. I Still Get Them Now, and I’m Always Moved by Them. It Seemed Extraordinary That Soldiers Would Come Back from the War and Write to Thank Me for What I Had Done. It Made Me Feel Very Humble, and That’s Why I’ve Always Done Everything I Can to Thank Them Back.

Did you know?

FACTS · 29

Little-known facts about Vera Lynn — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

After singing outside Buckingham Palace for the 50th V.E. Day celebrations in 1995, Vera Lynn retired. She continued to make appearances at war shows and surprised audiences at the 60th V.E. Day show in London in 2005.
The Queen awarded Vera Lynn the OBE in the 1969 New Year Honours List. She received the DBE in the 1975 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
At age 92, Vera Lynn’s greatest hits collection topped the UK album chart on 13 September 2009. She became the oldest artist to achieve that milestone.
For her 100th birthday, Vera Lynn planned to release a new album. She shared this intention before she turned 100 in 2017.
Pink Floyd’s song Vera from The Wall album references Vera Lynn and her song ‘We’ll Meet Again’. The album was adapted into a film in 1982.
During the war, she hosted the BBC radio show Sincerely Yours. She sang requests as letters to troops and visited their families in the UK and the troops in Burma.
At age 14, Vera Lynn left school to work in a factory. After a few weeks, she returned to singing in clubs.
Her daughter Virginia Penelope Ann Lewis, also known as Virginia Lewis Jones, was born on 10 March 1945.
During World War II, she made many trips to remote camps near the front lines and in the Pacific theater to entertain troops.
After her husband’s death, Vera Lynn lived as a widow in Ditchling, East Sussex.
In the 1970s, she released a comeback single ‘Don’t You Remember When’, written and produced by Lynsey de Paul.
In 2016, she was awarded the Companion of Honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her entertainment and charity work.
She was the first British female to top the US Billboard chart in 1952 with ‘Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart’. That same year, she had three top ten hits on the first official UK Singles chart. In 1957, she topped the UK chart with My Son, My Son featuring the Frank Weir Orchestra.
Her autobiography Vocal Refrain and war memoir ‘We’ll Meet Again’ were best-sellers.
She was a regular guest on Tallulah Bankhead’s NBC radio show The Big Show.
She used her grandmother’s maiden name, Lynn, as her stage name.
In the 1943 film Rhythm Serenade, she sang the French song ‘Qu’est-ce qu’on attend pour être heureux ? in English. The English lyrics were by Michael Carr and Tommie Connor, and the song became I Love To Sing.
Her song The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot 1937 appears in the film Pink Floyd: The Wall 1982, in addition to being mentioned in the song Vera.
Her husband Harry Lewis was a musician in the Bert Ambrose orchestra, where Vera Lynn also sang.
Vera Lynn had a brother named Roger.
Her first professional gig was with Billy Cotton’s band in 1934. She first sang on radio with Joe Loss’s orchestra in 1935, then worked with Charlie Kunz and Bert Ambrose.
She started singing at church concerts at age seven. At eleven, she joined a young people’s choir.
After her death, Vera Lynn was cremated at Woodvale Crematorium in Brighton.
Her ashes were interred with her husband at St Margaret’s Church in Ditchling, East Sussex.
She also had success on American radio, appearing on NBC’s The Big Show with Tallulah Bankhead from 1950 to 1952.
Her song ‘We’ll Meet Again’ was featured in the final sequence of Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove 1964. Stephen Colbert and former guests sang it on the series finale of The Colbert Report in 2005.
A memorial service for Vera Lynn was held at Westminster Abbey on 21 March 2022.
She was awarded the OBE in the 1969 New Year Honours List.
The band Travis mentioned Vera Lynn in their song U16 Girls.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 30

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Vera Lynn.

When was Vera Lynn born?

Vera Lynn was born on 20 March 1917 in East Ham, London. Her birth name was Vera Margaret Welch. She later adopted the stage name Lynn from her grandmother’s maiden name.
Where was Vera Lynn born?

She was born in East Ham, London, England, UK. East Ham was then part of Essex but is now part of the London Borough of Newham.
When did Vera Lynn die?

Vera Lynn died on 18 June 2020 at the age of 103. She passed away at her home in Ditchling, East Sussex. Her family announced her death.
How old was Vera Lynn when she died?

She was 103 years old at the time of her death on 18 June 2020. Born in 1917, she lived through both World Wars and became a centenarian.
Where did Vera Lynn die?

She died at her home in Ditchling, East Sussex, England. She had lived there since her husband’s death in 1998.
What was the cause of Vera Lynn's death?

The cause of Vera Lynn’s death was not publicly disclosed. Her family announced her passing without providing further details. She died peacefully at home.
What was Vera Lynn's real name?

Her real name was Vera Margaret Welch. She used her grandmother’s maiden name Lynn as her stage name. She is officially known as Dame Vera Lynn.
What did Vera Lynn do for a living?

She was a singer, actress, and soundtrack artist. She is best known for her wartime singing career and also appeared in films like Rhythm Serenade and Hellboy.
What nationality was Vera Lynn?

Vera Lynn was British. She was born in England and held British citizenship. She was honored with the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
What language did Vera Lynn speak?

Her native language was English. She sang primarily in English but also performed songs in French, such as in the film Rhythm Serenade.
Who was Vera Lynn married to?

She was married to Harry Lewis, a musician in the Bert Ambrose orchestra, from 11 August 1941 until his death in 1998. They had one daughter.
Where did Vera Lynn go to school?

She attended Brampton Primary School in East Ham. She left school at age 14 to work in a factory but soon returned to singing.
What awards did Vera Lynn receive?

She received the OBE in 1969, DBE in 1975, and Companion of Honour in 2016. She also earned the War Medal 1939–1945 and the Burma Star.
How many awards did Vera Lynn win?

She won at least seven major awards, including the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and Classic Brit Awards. Her honors span entertainment and charity.
What is Vera Lynn best known for?

She is best known for her wartime songs like ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and The White Cliffs of Dover. She also topped the UK album chart at age 92.
How tall was Vera Lynn?

Vera Lynn was 5 feet 7 inches 1.70 m tall. This is recorded in her biographical information.
Why was Vera Lynn called the Forces Sweetheart?

She earned the nickname The Forces Sweetheart during World War II by entertaining British troops. She visited remote camps, including in Burma, and hosted a BBC radio show.
What aliases did Vera Lynn use?

She was often referred to as Dame Vera Lynn or Dame Vera Lynn D.B.E. In some records, she is listed as Dame Vera Lynne. These reflect her honorary titles.
What films did Vera Lynn appear in?

She appeared in films such as Rhythm Serenade 1943 and One Exciting Night 1944. Later, she made a cameo in Hellboy 2004.
What is Vera Lynn's most famous song?

Her most famous song is ‘We’ll Meet Again’, recorded in 1939. It became an anthem of hope during World War II and was featured in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove.
Did Vera Lynn have a radio show during the war?

Yes, she hosted the BBC radio show Sincerely Yours during the war. She sang requests in the form of a letter to troops overseas and visited their families.
Did Vera Lynn set a record for oldest artist to top the UK charts?

Yes, at age 92 in 2009, she topped the UK album chart with ‘We’ll Meet Again – The Very Best of Vera Lynn’. She became the oldest living artist to top the chart.
Was Vera Lynn mentioned in a Pink Floyd song?

Yes, she is the subject of the song Vera on Pink Floyd’s album The Wall 1979. The song references her famous wartime song ‘We’ll Meet Again’.
Did Vera Lynn write an autobiography?

Yes, she wrote a best-selling autobiography titled Vocal Refrain and a war memoir ‘We’ll Meet Again’. These books detail her life and wartime experiences.
Where was Vera Lynn cremated?

She was cremated at Woodvale Crematorium in Brighton, East Sussex. Her ashes were interred with her husband at St Margaret’s Church in Ditchling.
Did Vera Lynn receive the Companion of Honour?

Yes, she was awarded the Companion of Honour in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to entertainment and charity.
What was Vera Lynn's only child's name?

She had one daughter, Virginia Penelope Ann Lewis, born on 10 March 1945. Virginia is also known as Virginia Lewis Jones.
Did Vera Lynn perform with Billy Cotton?

Yes, her first professional engagement was with Billy Cotton’s band in 1934. She later sang with Joe Loss and Bert Ambrose orchestras.
Did Vera Lynn sing in French?

Yes, in the film Rhythm Serenade 1943, she sang the French song ‘Qu’est-ce qu’on attend pour être heureux ? in English, with English lyrics by Michael Carr and Tommie Connor.
Was Vera Lynn's 'We'll Meet Again' used in a Stephen Colbert show?

Yes, Stephen Colbert sang ‘We’ll Meet Again’ with former guests on the series finale of The Colbert Report in 2014, paying tribute to the song.

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If something's wrong in a profile, Daniel will find it. With 7 years of research experience, he's developed an almost unreasonable eye for inaccurate career timelines, misattributed credits, and dates that don't quite add up. He doesn't publish anything he can't verify. The profiles on Famousy are as accurate as they are largely because of work you'll never see his name on.

Published on October 14, 2026

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