Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthMarch 20, 1917
SpouseHarry Lewis
FactHad a hugely successful music career. Which included being the first British female to top the American Billboard charts with "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart" in 1952. That same year she had 3 top ten hits in the first ever official UK Singles chart on November 14th 1952. In 1957 she topped the UK Singles chart with "My Son, My Son" which featured the Frank Weir Orchestra.


Vera Lynn, the “Forces’ Sweetheart”, is a British singer, songwriter and actress whose musical recordings and performances were enormously popular during the Second World War. Her songs “We’ll Meet Again” and “The White Cliffs of Dover” became anthems for the Allied troops fighting in Europe.

Born Vera Margaret Welch in East Ham, London, on March 20, 1917, Vera Lynn was the youngest of four children. Her father, Bertram Samuel Welch, was a carpenter, and her mother, Annie Elizabeth (née Howard), was a dressmaker. Vera Lynn began singing at an early age and made her first public appearance at the age of seven.

After leaving school, Vera Lynn worked as a secretary and sang in working men’s clubs in the evenings. She began her professional career in 1935 with the Joe Loss Orchestra. Her first recordings were made with Loss in 1936.

In 1939, at the outbreak of the Second World War, Vera Lynn was working in a London theatre when she was asked to sing for the troops at a military hospital. She began touring military bases and hospitals, performing for the troops. She quickly became known as the “Forces’ Sweetheart”.

Vera Lynn’s career flourished during the war years. In 1940, she released her first solo single, “Up the Wooden Hill to Bedfordshire”. The following year, she had her first major hit with “We’ll Meet Again”. The song became an anthem for the troops fighting in Europe and was later used in the film Casablanca (1942).

In 1941, Vera Lynn married Harry Lewis, a bandleader with whom she had been working. The couple had two daughters, Virginia and Pamela.

After the war, Vera Lynn continued to be popular with the British public. In 1949, she had her second major hit with “Auf Wiedersehen, Sweetheart”. The song was used in the film No Highway (1951), starring James Stewart.

In the 1950s, Vera Lynn toured extensively in Britain and abroad. She also appeared on television and made several films. In 1960, she released her autobiography, We’ll Meet Again.

In 1962, Vera Lynn retired from show business to spend more time with her family. However, she made a comeback in 1988 with a new album, Vera Lynn Sings Again. The album was a huge success and led to a sell-out concert tour of Britain.

In recent years, Vera Lynn has been honoured for her contribution to British music. In 2000, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). In 2005, she was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. In 2009, she was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Brit Awards.

Vera Lynn is now 103 years old and is the oldest living artist to have had a UK number one album. She continues to be popular with both young and old alike.

General Info

Full NameVera Lynn
Date Of BirthMarch 20, 1917
ProfessionActor, Singer, We'll Meet Again, Lili Marlene, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

Family

SpouseHarry Lewis
ChildrenVirginia Penelope Anne Lewis
ParentsBertram Samuel Welch, Annie Welch, We'll Meet Again, Lili Marlene, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
SiblingsRoger Welch

Accomplishments

NominationsNME Award for British Female Singer
MoviesOne Exciting Night, We'll Meet Again
TV ShowsA Picture of Britain

Social profile links

Quotes

#Quote
1I 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.
2You 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.
3I'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.

Facts

#Fact
1She was awarded the CH (Companion of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours List for her services to entertainment and charity in East Sussex, England.
2She is now widowed and residing in Ditchling in East Sussex. [June 2004]
3Made many trips to remote camps near the front during World War II, in the Pacific theater of operation; to entertain and visit the troops.
4On 13th September 2009 her greatest hits collection, "We'll Meet Again - The Very Best of Vera Lynn", topped the UK album chart, making her the oldest artist ever to do so, aged 92.
5Had a hugely successful music career. Which included being the first British female to top the American Billboard charts with "Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart" in 1952. That same year she had 3 top ten hits in the first ever official UK Singles chart on November 14th 1952. In 1957 she topped the UK Singles chart with "My Son, My Son" which featured the Frank Weir Orchestra.
6Daughter: Virginia Penelope Ann Lewis, born 10th March 1945
7Brother: Roger
8A regular guest on Tallulah Bankhead radio show 'The Big Show'.
9Left school at 14 to work in a factory, after working a few weeks in the factory she decided to return to singing in clubs
10Retired in 1995 after singing outside Buckingham Palace at the 50th V.E. Day celebrations. She often appears at war shows and made a surprise appearance at the 60th V.E Day show in London (2005).
11Husband Harry Lewis was a musician in the Bert Ambrose orchestra where Vera was a singer.
12Bestselling autobiography 'Vocal Refrain' and bestselling war memoirs 'We'll meet again'
13Had a radio show during the war for the BBC titled 'Sincerely Yours' where she sang requests in the form of a letter to troops overseas, visited their wives and visited the troops abroad in Burma.
14Released a comeback single in the 70s called "Don't You Remember When" which was written and produced by Lynsey de Paul.
15She was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1969 Queen's New Year Honours List and the DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1975 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
16Subject of a song on Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and in the movie of the same. Refers to the 1942 "We'll Meet Again".

Movies

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Coming War on China2016Documentary performer: "We'll Meet Again"
The Simpsons2016TV Series performer - 1 episode
Legends of Tomorrow2016TV Series performer - 1 episode
Todd's Pop Song Reviews2015TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Glastonbury 20152015TV Series performer - 1 episode
American Horror Story2014TV Series performer - 1 episode
Castle2013TV Series performer - 1 episode
Mega64: Gamer Warz2013TV Mini-Series performer - 1 episode
The Daughter in Distress2013Short performer: "We'll Meet Again"
The Power of Few2013performer: "We'll Meet Again"
Curfew2012/IShort performer: "We'll Meet Again"
War on Terror2011Documentary performer: "We'll Meet Again"
Zaum - Andare a parare2011TV Series documentary performer: "We'll Meet Again"
Casino Jack and the United States of Money2010Documentary performer: "DREAM"
The Lady and the Reaper (La dama y la muerte)2009Short performer: "We'll Meet Again"
Is Anybody There?2008performer: "I'm in the Mood for Love"
There'll Always Be an England2008Video performer: "There'll Always Be an England"
Cold Case2007TV Series performer - 1 episode
La hora fría2006"I'm in the Mood for Love"
Wah-Wah2005performer: "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square"
Saint Ange2004performer: "I'm in the mood for love"
Hellboy2004performer: "We'll Meet Again"
I'll Be There2003performer: "There'll Always Be An England"
A Is for Acid2002TV Movie performer: "When the Lights Go On Again" - uncredited
The 1940s House2001TV Series performer - 1 episode
The End of the Affair1999performer: "Wishing Will Make It So", "Symphonie"
Futurama1999TV Series performer - 1 episode
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates1998TV Series performer - 1 episode
Déjà Vu1997performer: "The White Cliffs Of Dover"
Lolita1997performer: "I'm In The Mood For Love"
The Beatles Anthology1995TV Mini-Series documentary performer: "We'll Meet Again"
And a Nightingale Sang1989TV Movie performer: "We'll Meet Again" - uncredited
The Singing Detective1986TV Mini-Series performer - 1 episode
Women of Valor1986TV Movie performer: "There'll Always Be An England"
The Jewel in the Crown1984TV Mini-Series performer - 1 episode
The Year of Living Dangerously1982performer: "White Cliffs of Dover"
Pink Floyd: The Wall1982performer: "The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot"
De Fred Haché Show1971TV Series performer - 1 episode
A Safe Place1971performer: "Lavender Blue"
Dad's Army1971performer: "We'll Meet Again" - uncredited
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb1964performer: "We'll Meet Again" 1939 - uncredited
Venus fra Vestø1962performer: "Wish me luck"
Desert Patrol1958performer: "What a Day We Will Have" - uncredited
The Wind Cannot Read1958performer: "The Wind Cannot Read"
One Exciting Night1944performer: "It's Like Old Times", "There's a New World Over the Skyline", "One Love", "My Prayer", "You Can't Do Without Love", "It's So Easy to Say Good Morning" - uncredited
Rhythm Serenade1943performer: "The Sunshine of Your Smile", "When We're Home Sweet Home Again", "I Love To Sing", "Bye and Bye", "So It Goes On", "With All My Heart", "It Doesn't Cost a Dime" - uncredited
We'll Meet Again1943performer: "Be Like the Kettle and Sing", "You'll Never Know", "I'm Yours Sincerely", "After the Rain", "Ave Maria", "All the World Sings a Lullaby", "We'll Meet Again" - uncredited

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
One Exciting Night1944Vera Baker
Rhythm Serenade1943Ann Martin
We'll Meet Again1943Peggy Brown
A Fire Has Been Arranged1935Extra (uncredited)

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Traceroute2016Documentary singer

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Legends2007TV Series documentary thanks - 1 episode

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Big Night Out1963-1964TV SeriesHerself
Comedy Bandbox1963TV SeriesHerself
Venus fra Vestø1962Herself
Kingsley Amis Goes Pop1962TV Mini-SeriesHerself
The Charlie Chester Music Hall1962TV SeriesHerself
Vera Lynn Presents1960TV SeriesHerself
The Royal Variety Show1960TV MovieHerself
Top Town Tournament1960TV SeriesHerself - Judge
Whack-O!1959TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Vera Lynn Sings1955-1959TV SeriesHerself
The Ivor Novello Awards1959TV SpecialHerself - Performer
This Is Your Life1957-1959TV Series documentaryHerself
A Boxing Day Party1957TV MovieHerself - Hostess
These Are the Shows1957TV MovieHerself
Alan Melville Takes You from A-Z1957TV SeriesHerself
Show Band Parade1957TV SeriesHerself
Off the Record1955-1957TV SeriesHerself
Tonight at Nine1956TV MovieHerself
Garrison Theatre1955TV SeriesHerself
De TV maakt muziek1955TV SeriesHerself
Music-Hall1949-1954TV SeriesHerself
The Dave Garroway Show1954TV SeriesHerself
London Laughs1953TV MovieHerself
Texaco Star Theatre1952TV SeriesHerself - Singer
Tin Pan Alley1951Herself
Stars in Your Eyes1948TV SeriesHerself
Funny Thing, This Wireless!1947TV MovieHerself
Variety1947TV SeriesHerself
The Unforgettable Norman Wisdom2011TV Movie documentaryHerself - Friend (as Dame Vera Lynn)
Entertaining the Troops2011TV Movie documentaryHerself (as Dame Vera Lynn)
100 Years of the London Palladium2010TV Movie documentaryHerself (as Dame Vera Lynn)
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two2010TV Series documentaryHerself
Norman Wisdom: His Story2010Herself (as Dame Vera Lynn)
The Vera Lynn Story2010TV Movie documentaryHerself (as Dame Vera Lynn)
Breakfast2009-2010TV SeriesHerself - Singer / Herself
Outbreak 19392009TV Movie documentaryHerself (as Dame Vera Lynn)
The One Show2009TV SeriesHerself
The Dad's Army Podcast2008TV SeriesHerself
Fighting the Blue2005TV Mini-Series documentaryHerself
A Picture of Britain2005TV Mini-Series documentaryHerself
An Audience with Des O'Connor2001TV SpecialHerself - Audience Member (uncredited)
A War to Remember2001Video documentaryHerself - Host (as Dame Vera Lynn)
Legends2000TV Series documentaryHerself
Happy Birthday Ma'am1996TV Movie documentaryHerself
Royal Family at War1995TV Movie documentaryHerself
V.E. Day1995TV MovieHerself / Singer
Celebration Concert - It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow1995TV MovieHerself
Clive James on 19941994TV MovieHerself
Paul Merton's Palladium Story1994TV Mini-Series documentaryHerself
Songs That Won the War1994TV Movie documentaryHerself, Presenter (as Dame Vera Lynn)
Gulf Aid1991VideoHerself
Des O'Connor Tonight1987TV SeriesHerself
This Is Your Life1979-1987TV Series documentaryHerself
Chasing Rainbows - A Nation and Its Music1986TV Series documentaryHerself
The Time of Your Life1983TV SeriesHerself
Parkinson1981TV SeriesHerself
Night of One Hundred Stars1980TV MovieHerself
Chaos Supersedes E.N.S.A..1980TV Mini-Series documentaryInterviewee
Every Night Something Atrocious1980TV Movie documentaryInterviewee
Words of War1979TV Mini-SeriesHerself
Max Bygraves Side by Side1978TV SeriesHerself
Seaside Special1977TV SeriesHerself
Fall In, the Stars1977TV MovieHerself
All You Need Is Love1977TV Series documentaryHerself
The Val Doonican Music Show1977TV SeriesHerself
Looks Familiar1976TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Festival of Entertainment1976TV MovieHerself
The Royal Variety Performance1975TV MovieHerself
The World at War1974TV Mini-Series documentaryHerself
The Vera Lynn Show1974TV SeriesHerself
The Morecambe & Wise Show1972TV SeriesHerself
Vera Lynn1969-1972TV SeriesHerself
A Christmas Night with the Stars1958-1971TV SeriesHerself
The Harry Secombe Show1971TV SeriesHerself
The Val Doonican Show1968TV SeriesHerself
Ave Maria1968TV MovieHerself
International Cabaret1968TV SeriesHerself
Gala 651965/ITV MovieHerself
Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium1961-1965TV SeriesHerself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Legends2007TV Series documentaryHerself
Omnibus1998TV Series documentaryHerself
The Sound of Change1968TV MovieHerself

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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