Born as Vera Margaret Welch in East Ham, London on March 20th 1917, she was encouraged by her father and uncle into singing in working mens clubs etc. She became well known for her distinctive, penetrating voice.
At the age of 11 her parents decided she needed a stage name chose her maternal grandmothers maiden name "Lynn".
Vera Lynns real big break into stardom came with the BBCs "Sincerely Yours" which involved reading letters from servicemen overseas to their wives over the radio and vice vers as well as her singing. It was during World War 2 that Vera sung some of the inspiring songs like We'll Meet Again and The White Cliffs of Dover" that made her successful as "The Forces Sweetheart".
For many years after the War Vera continued to sing and covered a diversity of sungs from Abba to Roy Orbison!
Like Doris Day, to list the songs Vera has sung and covered would be impossible but the ones I find most inspiring are We'll Meet Again, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Faraway Places, Comin' in on a wing and a pray'r, It hurts to say goodbye, London Pride, Thank you for the music, Why dont we try a slow dance and Room 504.
Today Vera is frequently involved in charity work both locally and nationally and can still be heard singing from time to time. Her voice is as clear and distinct as it has always been.