Dame Vera Lynn: How the Forces' Sweetheart touched the Midlands
Tributes have been paid across the Midlands to Dame Vera Lynn who's died aged 103.
She was known as the Forces Sweetheart, remembered for one of her most famous song - We'll Meet Again.
The songs she sang during the Second World War and the visits she made to entertain troops on the frontline, lifted the spirits of the nation and gave people hope during the darkest of times.
It is often forgotten that during those momentous days she was still a young woman in her early 20s, yet she travelled thousands of miles, often at great personal risk, to entertain the troops and to comfort them.
Tributes to her were led by Her Majesty the Queen, who referenced We'll Meet Again, in her address to the nation about coronavirus just a few weeks ago.
Here's what Dame Vera Lynn meant to the Midlands:
Dame Vera, born in East Ham, east London, rose to popularity while performing for troops during the war in countries including Egypt, India and Burma.
Her best-known songs include The White Cliffs Of Dover and There’ll Always Be An England - and, of course, We'll Meet Again.
Dame Vera had her own television show and toured the world - she remained an outspoken supporter of military veterans throughout her life.
Known as the Forces' Sweetheart, she celebrated her 103rd birthday in March - releasing a video calling for the British public to find "moments of joy" during these "hard times".
Tributes have been pouring in on social media to Dame Vera Lynn