Born Vera Margaret Welch on 20 March 1917 in East Ham, Essex, Dame Vera began performing publicly at the age of seven. She began singing professionally in East End working men’s clubs. She spent the 1920s and 1930s fronting some of the top society orchestras and captured the heart of the British public with her music.
In 1940, she began Sincerely Yours, her own BBC radio show which was broadcast in the UK and abroad. She performed songs that reminded the troops of home including some old favourites that she will forever be associated with including ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’.
She toured Egypt and India with the Entertainment National Services Association, meeting and performing for the troops, raising smiles and morale. She performed into the 1960s and 70s, before refocusing her career into philanthropy and charity fundraising.
