During WWII she traveled, at what must have been some risk to herself, to India, Egypt, and Burma to sing to the British troops to keep their spirits up.
From Wikipedia:
Lynn devoted much time and energy to charity work connected with ex-servicemen, disabled children and breast cancer. She was held in great affection by Second World War veterans and in 2000 was named the Briton who best exemplified the spirit of the 20th century.
During World War II, Lynn lived with her parents in a house she bought in Upney Lane, Barking. In 1941, Lynn married Harry Lewis, a clarinetist and saxophonist, and fellow member of Ambrose's orchestra whom she had met two ears earlier. they rented another house in Upney Lane, near her parents' house. They had one child in March 1946, Virginia Penelope Anne Lewis (now Lewis-Jones). Her husband died in 1998....Lynn lived in Ditchling, East Sussex, from the early 1960s, living next door to her daughter.
Somehow, devoting herself to those charities seems in keeping with the way she traveled to the front during WWII. Living next door to her daughter seems in keeping with the way she moved her own parents into her house during WWII. Both of those things are in keeping with the way she stayed married to the same man for 57 years, until his death. And all of those things are consistent with each other.
How gratifying to see that she was selected as "the Briton who best exemplified the spirit of the 20th century." (Think about that: she beat out Winston Churchill for the honor.)
Here she is singing We'll Meet Again to RAF members.
Posts
8 comments:
John- Thanks for posting Vera Lynn’s story. It seems common that centenarians often lead interesting, busy and generous lives. Often up until their death. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately with the passing of my own grandfather at 102 last year. He had about 200 direct descendants when he died. Centenarians, if they stay sharp, must have a fantastic perspective on life through the changes they’ve seen. I once mentioned to you a friend of mine that I used to meet at the gym swimming pool. At 99 he was still swimming laps for 45 minutes. I hope I can achieve that. I found out he died recently from one of our swimming buddies. While I knew he was a navy officer, he never mentioned his amazing background and experiences. I knew him as just a regular friendly guy. Maybe modesty is a common trait of the long lived also. It probably was with Mrs. Lynn.
http://porterloring.tributes.com/obituary/show/Eugene-Harrison-Farrell-107059188
Smallberries Worldwide --
Thank you. Wow, 200 direct descendants; that's a big family you come from. You must have cousins you barely know. But it must be nice to know, at a certain level, that your genes are out there circulating so widely.
Rear Admiral Farrell was incredible. Very few enlisted men make it to the Admiral/General level. And he saw action during WWII on an incredible number of fronts. Also amazing that he outlived his first three wives. You don't hear of that too often, either: four marriages, but no divorces. Anyway, thanks for sharing that.
Vera's version of We'll Meet Again is played over the ending credits of Doctor Strangelove
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cIpTE-aHEZ0
EddieCoyle --
It had been so long since I'd seen that movie I'd forgotten. (Not to mention that I wasn't really aware of Vera Lynn when I first saw that movie.) I suppose it's played ironically, but when I first heard the song, it occurred to me that one of the interpretations of those lyrics might be, we'll meet again in heaven.
Got it - it’s taken me awhile but the of picture of Vera reminds me of the actress Linda Kozlowski from the crocodile Dundee time period
GT --
Ah, she actually does, a little. You're right.
Here's a less appetizing resemblance: the young James Spader looked a little like Linda Kozlowski. (I could never stand the sight of his epicene, self-satisfied face.)
Agree - young Spader had a face or attitude that was off putting - maybe he was the arrogant yuppie I never wanted to be or really wanted to be deep down put couldn’t pull it off
GT --
Arrogant yuppie, well put. (Though I suppose I was one as well early on.)
Post a Comment