How leading Dame Vera Lynn tribute artist from Sheffield was a special guest at unveiling of painting honouring wartime icon

When a portrait of Dame Vera Lynn – the ‘Forces Sweetheart’ who sang for soldiers in the Second World War – was unveiled at the Royal Albert Hall in London, one of the icon’s biggest supporters made the trip from Sheffield to see the artwork for the first time.
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Lorrie Brown, of Owlthorpe, has been performing for more than 25 years as the country's premier tribute artist to Dame Vera, keeping songs such as We’ll Meet Again and The White Cliffs of Dover alive into the 21st century.

Her touring show - Sincerely Yours: The Vera Lynn Story - is officially endorsed by its subject who turns 103 next month, and she has also raised more than £11,000 for The Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, for which she is an ambassador and holds collections when she sings.

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The specially-commissioned portrait is the first piece of its kind to be hung at the Albert Hall in decades, and was unveiled by Britain’s Got Talent winner Colin Thackery, an 89-year-old Chelsea Pensioner who triumphed in the TV contest last year by singing wartime standards.

Lorrie Brown as Vera Lynn.Lorrie Brown as Vera Lynn.
Lorrie Brown as Vera Lynn.

It features illustrations representing Dame Vera's life, including a Spitfire and the White Cliffs, and was painted by Norwegian artist Ross Kolby.

The Royal Albert Hall was chosen as its home as the singer appeared there more than 50 times.

Lorrie said it was ‘an honour’ to be invited to the presentation on Monday in London, where a documentary on Dame Vera's life was shown and a collection of commemorative coins was released.

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“There were about 100 people who all knew her and had worked with her, so it was really nice,” said Lorrie, who attended with her husband Gary Birtles, who produces her shows.

Lorrie Brown with Britain's Got Talent winner Colin Thackery.Lorrie Brown with Britain's Got Talent winner Colin Thackery.
Lorrie Brown with Britain's Got Talent winner Colin Thackery.

“We didn't know the invite was coming. I'll never forget it.”

Lorrie met the dame’s daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, at the event. Virginia confirmed that her mother, who could not be there in person, had seen the painting and that she thought it was ‘brilliant’.

“She's just an amazing lady - a legend,” said Lorrie.

“I've got so much respect for her, I think she's incredible.”

Lorrie Brown at the Royal Albert Hall.Lorrie Brown at the Royal Albert Hall.
Lorrie Brown at the Royal Albert Hall.
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Dame Vera – who in 2009 made chart history by outselling Arctic Monkeys and The Beatles to achieve a number one album with a compilation of her best-known numbers – is one of the last living cultural figures from the Second World War era, and Lorrie believes her relevance continues.

“She's just as important today, really, as she was back then. She defines what Britain's about - unity, and people coming together. She epitomises that feeling. Good on her, that's what I say.”

She was also a courageous individual, Lorrie added.

“She'd go to places to sing where nobody else would go - she would sing just behind the front line, then the troops would come out, hear her sing then go back in the jungle and fight. She'd sing on the back of a truck.”

The painting of Dame Vera Lynn is unveiled at the Royal Albert Hall.The painting of Dame Vera Lynn is unveiled at the Royal Albert Hall.
The painting of Dame Vera Lynn is unveiled at the Royal Albert Hall.

And the power of nostalgia, she says, is evident in the response of audiences whenever she sings.

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“It’s so emotional, a lot of people come alive through the music.”

Last year Dame Vera recorded a special message for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, telling veterans ‘we will never forget all you did for us’ ahead of a Royal British Legion cruise to mark the occasion.