Dame Vera Lynn's story is well known

She's regarded by many as one of Britain's national treasures.

Dubbed 'the forces sweetheart' during the Second World War - her songs like 'We'll Meet Again' and 'There'll Always Be An England' became synonymous with hope and survival during dark times.

It's rare for us to profile someone so iconic

But courtesy of a mention by the Queen in her recent address to the nation, at 103 years old Vera Lynn is trending again.

She even has a number one single on the UK iTunes chart

Mark Coles talks to her family and close friends to find out what she makes of all the attention.

And - perhaps more importantly, why - 80 years on - her best known song 'We'll Meet Again' is striking a chord during the coronavirus crisis.


Producer Smita Patel
Researcher Bethan Head