A day later than planned, Spitfires flew over Dover yesterday to mark the centenary of the ‘Forces’ Sweetheart’, Dame Vera Lynn. Watch the footage here…
Yesterday two original 1944 Spitfires flew over the South Foreland Lighthouse along the White Cliffs of Dover in celebration of Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th birthday.
The flight which had been due to take place the day before, on Dame Vera Lynn’s actual birthday, was postponed due to poor weather.
The display saw the Vickers Supermarine Mk 9 Spitfires fly above three huge blue birds on the ground, which represented the poignant and defiant lyrics in Dame Vera Lynn’s most famous hit, The White Cliffs of Dover.
The stunt was the final instalment of the celebrations for Dame Vera, which included a variety show at the London Palladium in front of Her Majesty The Queen and a party on the cliffs on Monday with war veterans, WWII re-enactors, 1940s’ singers, and a projection of Dame Vera Lynn’s face onto the White Cliffs.
As well as celebrating her birthday, the events were held to raise money for the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, which supports children under 5 with cerebral palsy and other motor learning difficulties – a cause she has been involved with since 1955.
Dame Vera Lynn said: “To have reached my hundredth year is in itself an achievement – with all the many memories that one collects over the years, the different places and the wonderful people one meets and the many, many fans from across the world who have supported me.
“I can’t believe everyone went to so much trouble to wish me a happy birthday – I feel incredibly humbled by it all but most of all I am delighted that it is helping to raise vital funds for my charity.”
Make a donation to the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity and keep an eye out for our feature on White Cliffs Country coming soon.
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