Michael Fabricant has joined Natalie Elphicke, the MP for Dover, in support for a memorial to the late Dame Vera Lynn CH who famously sang “The White Cliffs of Dover” in World War Two.

Natalie Elphicke says  “Dame Vera was a great Briton who made an enormous contribution to our country and was voted the Briton who best exemplified the spirit of the 20th Century. Only 3 out of every 100 statues commemorate women, so this memorial would make an important difference.

“Dame Vera, who passed away in 2020, made an enormous contribution to our country’s morale in the Second World War. Thereafter, Dame Vera worked tirelessly in charity work for ex-servicemen, disabled children, and breast cancer victims. In 2000 she was voted the Briton who best exemplified the spirit of the 20th Century.

“The national memorial would serve to inspire women and girls by telling Dame Vera’s story – her famous songs, her commitment to national duty, and to helping others through charity and community work.”

Michael Fabricant adds “I used to know Dame Vera extremely well before I became an MP.  She was the President of a radio company I was involved with and I frequently had meetings at her home in Ditchling in Sussex along with her husband, Harry.  I hope a memorial to Dame Vera could be constructed at the National Memorial Arboretum as she was known and revered as  “The forces sweetheart” and toured many battle areas in World War 2 visiting troops from France to Burma.

“Local groups and individuals have worked hard to raise funds for this project. They have made great progress, led by Dame Vera’s daughter, Ginny and son-in-law, Tom. Yet it is a major project and they need help to complete the memorial. Government support for memorials was announced in the recent Budget and this would be a worthy candidate for funding.

“I know that some people will argue that at a time when there is a cost of living crisis across Europe, this project is irrelevant.  I would argue that only by remembering and honouring our past can we avoid those mistakes in the future.”