Vera Margaret Lynn: 20 March 1917 – 18 June 2020

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_Lynn

 

Edited June 18, 2020 by afx

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Edited June 18, 2020 by afx

[peteski]

We are so far removed from WWII that not many people can relate to this. Especially if they are under 50 years old.  Pink Floyd The Wall album has lots of WWII references.  Heck, even that album is over 40 years old!

Edited June 19, 2020 by peteski

[Russell C]

28 minutes ago, peteski said:

We are so far removed from WWII that not many people can relate to this.....

I live so hopelessly in the past, WWII is something that still feels like it was only 30 years ago. It was the most formative time in the lives of every adult I knew, so that's why it made such an impression on me.

[peteski]

7 hours ago, Russell C said:

I live so hopelessly in the past, WWII is something that still feels like it was only 30 years ago. It was the most formative time in the lives of every adult I knew, so that's why it made such an impression on me.

Growing up on Poland in the '60s and '70s I saw many reminders of WWII (like buildings with stucco pockmarked by shrapnel, or air-ride sirens on rooftops). Of course, I  learned lots of details about WWII in the history classes.  I visited Oświęcim (Auschwitz) and other war memorials.  I also built my share of models depicting WWII aircraft and armor, but when I became an aldule I didn't really think about WWII much.  But there are plenty of scary things happening it today's world that remind me of what I learned about the days of WWII. Scary!

[DonW]

Dad was out in Burma flying Spits with 155 squadron. when a DC3 landed and taxied in. In his words:

'Then a beautiful leg appeared, then another, then two more, then the Canadian crew. 'Bats' Krohn was the first to run out, being CO, to welcome our charming guests. It was Vera Lynn and her sidekick. 'Bats stood us down from readiness and Vera insisted on getting up on the wing of a Spitfire and these two girls sang their hearts out, bless them. Our squadron was very near the enemy positions and Vera Lynn along with her sidekick knew that only too well. It was known that many, many, big names of the entertainment world came no further than Delhi. Our little charmer (Vera Lynn) had more guts in her little finger than that lot put together. I should love to know that she reads this and I am sure the appreciation of her effort was wholehearted from all of 155 squadron, all 200 of them.'.

Very few celebrities visited the front line, but she did! 

 

 

Edited June 19, 2020 by DonW

[Bugatti Fan]

A sad loss of a British Icon. She was inspirational to servicemen and women during WW2.

[Mark]

17 hours ago, peteski said:

Pink Floyd The Wall album has lots of WWII references.  Heck, even that album is over 40 years old!

Roger Waters' father was killed in battle in 1944, never having seen his son.  From what I have read, he was never found.

[OldTrucker]

My late Great Uncle and Aunt used to sing that song a lot! Had it on an old 78 record.

He flew B17's out of England and she was an RAF nurse when he first met her!

That brought back so great memories.