Dame Vera Lynn’s personal wardrobe and memorabilia including her 1941 wedding suit and a letter inviting her to perform at Princess Elizabeth’s 16th birthday go on display in exhibition celebrating her life
- Dame Vera Lynn’s personal wardrobe, paintings and memorabilia are on display
- Exhibition celebrates the life of the forces’ sweetheart, who died last year
- Her wedding suit, personal letters and concert mementoes are all on show
- Also includes letter inviting her to perform at Princess Elizabeth’s 16th birthday
Dame Vera Lynn’s personal wardrobe, paintings and memorabilia have gone on display in a new exhibition celebrating her life.
The forces’ sweetheart, who died last year aged 103, kept hold of treasured outfits including the chic cream suit she wore to marry husband Harry in 1941.
A khaki shirt and shorts set, worn by Dame Vera on her wartime tours of the Far East, and stunning ballgowns worn on stage are also on show at Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft, in the East Sussex village the Armed Forces sweetheart called home for 60 years.
Dame Vera Lynn’s personal wardrobe, paintings and memorabilia have gone on display in a new exhibition celebrating her life. The forces’ sweetheart, who died last year aged 103, kept hold of treasured outfits including the suit she wore to marry husband Harry in 1941 (pictured)
A khaki shirt and shorts set, worn by Dame Vera on her wartime tours of the Far East is also on public show at Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft, in the East Sussex village she called home
Among the most fascinating items is a letter that was sent to inform the singer she was required to perform at Princess Elizabeth’s 16th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle in 1942, even though she was already booked for a separate engagement
A poster for the 1957 Royal Variety Performance. Other highlights include photos of Dame Vera’s trip across Burma in 1944 and the pocket diary she kept documenting her trip (right)
The exhibition, put on with the support of Dame Vera’s daughter Virginia Lewis-Jones, 76, also showcases the singer’s private love of painting, with 20 of her never-before-seen landscapes, portraits and watercolour botanicals on display. Above, a selection of Dame Vera’s paintings
Among the most fascinating items is a letter that was sent to inform the singer she was required to perform at Princess Elizabeth’s 16th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle in 1942, even though she was already booked for a separate engagement.
The letter, headed ‘secret’, informed Dame Vera that she was ‘required for a private command performance’ organised by King George VI to mark his daughter’s personal birthday.
The exhibition, put on with the support of Dame Vera’s daughter Virginia Lewis-Jones, 76, also showcases the singer’s private love of painting, with 20 of her never-before-seen landscapes, portraits and watercolour botanicals on display.
Other highlights include photographs of Dame Vera’s trip across Burma in 1944 to perform to the ‘Forgotten Army’ and the pocket diary she kept documenting her trip.
Mrs Lewis-Jones said: ‘The war opened up so much for women, like working in armaments. She sort of paved the way for women to do more adventurous things. She led the way by going to Burma and singing in the middle of the jungle.
An elegant powder blue ballgown with a nipped in waist and embellished neckline go on display. Left, Dame Vera Lynn wearing the dress at an event
A figure-flattering black velvet dress worn by Dame Vera on The New Musical Express in 1952
Vera Lynn at rehearsals for ‘Christmas Night With The Stars’ at Shepherds Bush in 1971. Right, the beautiful flowing magenta dress on display in the museum
Dame Vera in a floral gown in 1980. Right, the frock on show alongside Dame Vera’s dresses
Personal effects including the performer’s travelling trunk and accessories cases
‘She wasn’t allowed to keep a diary in case she was caught but she secreted it away. She wrote things like “slept on a stretcher between two chairs in a a mud hut”… and about having to move the flies aside that landed in her soup, because you couldn’t stop them going in so she had to just eat around them.
‘I think the jungle was horrendous. She wore a pretty frock for one show and the men told her afterwards “I wouldn’t wear that again Vera, you perspired so much you can see straight through it!” After that she performed in army gear.’
A floaty orange gown worn on the Morecombe and Wise Christmas Show in 1971 and a feather dress handmade by her mother also take pride of place in the museum.
Mrs Lewis-Jones added: ‘I think the museum have done a brilliant job. I think it gives more of an all-round picture of what mummy did, with her artwork too.
Vera’s framed gold discs and her cover of NME, as well as a chart documenting her success
Dame Vera’s daughter shared some candid snaps of her mother taken over the year
The intimate photos offer a glimpse of Dame Vera’s life off stage, including time with her family
The forces’ sweetheart touring frontline camps and performing for troops is also documented
‘I’ve known since I was little that mummy painted and drew, but I don’t think it was really known by the public. She was very good. I think a lot of artistes are often very good artists as well, it’s another side to their creative field.
‘There’s also a lovely tapestry, not quite finished sadly, which she used to do when she was waiting to go on stage. We hope it brings lots of interest and joy to the people who come and visit.’
Dame Vera was a long-time patron of the museum.
Director Steph Fuller added: ‘This has been an incredibly exciting exhibition to put together to commemorate our former Patron Dame Vera Lynn.
A museum worker straightens one of the botanical watercolours painted by Dame Vera
An unfinished tapestry started by Dame Vera is among her daughter’s personal highlights
The displays, including the one above, will give Dame Vera fans a chance to learn more
A glass display case houses key pieces in the exhibition, including concert memorabilia
‘Displaying her personal items including the diaries and correspondence really brings Dame Vera to life for a new generation, and it’s been a privilege to be able to work with her family to do that.
‘It has been a real voyage of discovery for us. We all feel much closer to Dame Vera by getting to know her through objects that represent her life. I think one of the real revelations are her paintings.
‘The Burma diary is a really special piece. She was supposed to not keep a record while she was there but she kept terse, cryptic notes that bring home what a traumatic voyage it was for her.’
The exhibition runs until April.
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