Dame Vera Lynn’s daughter says she’s been ‘overwhelmed’ by public support after her mother’s death – and is ‘amazed’ by the idea of her being memorialised with a statue
- Virginia Penelope Anne Lewis, 74, from Ditchling, East Sussex appeared on GMB
- Late mother entertained troops by singing during frontline visits during WWII
- Says she was ‘astonished’ that her mother could be remembered with a statue
Dame Vera Lynn’s daughter says she’s been ‘astonished’ by the campaign to have her mother memorialised with a statue.
Virginia Penelope Anne Lewis, 74, from Ditchling, East Sussex, appeared on Good Morning Britain over the phone today where she spoke of the ‘overwhelming’ support her family has received since her mother’s death last week. aged 103.
The singer became a symbol of freedom during the Second World War after risking her own life to visit troops to sing morale-boosting songs such as ‘We’ll Meet Again’, and some fans have called out for the icon to be remembered with a statue.
Virginia, who said her mothre lived an ‘amazing life’, said she’s been moved by the ‘incredible’ reaction from the British public following her death, including homemade gifts left outside their home.
Dame Vera Lynn’s daughter says she was ‘astonished’ by the campaign to have her mother memorialised with a statue.Pictured, Dame Vera in 1947
Dame Vera Lynn, pictured with Virginia in her final known photograph on May 7 ahead of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, died last week aged 103
‘She did live an amazing life and what she did was just amazing’, she said. ‘What she did during the war and afterward with military charities.
‘Anything she thought she could help with, she would put her name to get more money to the charity. She felt it was her duty she wanted to do it.
‘We were overwhelmed with all the things people have left outside the house, children making knitted wreathes, it’s been incredible’.
When asked about a potential statue, she said: ‘I was astonished, I heard about this yesterday. It’s a decision the British public have to make, as to whether they want one or not. But it’s an amazing thought.
Dame Vera Lynn entertained troops with morale-boosting visits to the front line during the Second World War. She is pictured during the war in 1941
Dame Vera, pictured in 1940, shortly before she married her musician husband Harry Lewis in 1941 after meeting him in 1939
While her music was a beacon of hope between 1939 and 1945, her words in ‘We’ll Meet Again’ resonated again in the current coronavirus pandemic.
The Queen used her lyrics in her speech in April to inspire modern Britain to evoke the spirit of its wartime generation and battle through the crisis.
Speaking of the speech, Virginia said: ‘We all thought it was amazing. We laughed, we thought it was really funny, but so resonant for today.
‘Those words apply then, now and in the future. Those words are very poignant and necessary for morale, to know that one day we will all meet again.’
Virginia Penelope Anne Lewis, 74, from Ditchling, East Sussex, appeared on Good Morning Britain over the phone today
She spoke to hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid of the ‘overwhelming’ support her family have received since her mother’s death last week
Virginia went on to insist that her mother’s words are important in helping the younger generation be aware of the massive sacrifice veterans made for British freedom.
She said: ‘It was very important for today’s generation to be aware, what these people did for us.
‘Without those wonderful veterans, we may not be here. Or be under a completely different regime, which is not something one wants to contemplate.’