Vera Lynn, the "Forces' Sweetheart"  in a publicity photo, 1943 - long before Damehood.  In a recent interview, Dame Vera described her role in the war as her "job", that of helping others to make concrete achievements in the difficult environment of war.  Some "job".  Best regards, JR.

There is nothing like a Dame (2) ...

"Venus", British bulldog mascot of the destroyer HMS Vansittart, on the lookout, 1941.  Best regards, JR.

Bulldog Breed ...

Vera Lynn visiting a military hospital in Burma, 1944.  Vera was no mere behind-the-lines entertainer of the troops.  She toured Egypt, India and Burma in the latter part of the war - none of them exactly soft or safe theatres.  In Burma, in particular, she ended up close to the action during the Battle of Kohima and, at times, was entertaining troops who, effectively, were fighting to survive behind Japanese lines.  The Brits, Indians, Aussies and Kiwis may have felt themselves in many ways the "Forgotten Army" - but not by Vera Lynn.  In 1985, she was awarded the Burma Star for her services to the troops in the Burma theatre.  Quite a gal ... Best regards, JR.