Dame Vera Lynn died today at the age of 103. An amazing life and dearly loved by everyone. On the final night of the 1983 Royal Tournament, she took to the centre stage of Earls Court surrounded by the troops and bands of all the armed services including the display teams from the London and Kent Fire Brigades. That year the RT was celebrating the part that the Fire Services took during the blitz. The opening scene was a combined display performed by the Fire Service teams.
I was part of the KFB team and I had to climb out of the top deck front window of a bombed London bus and was rescued by a turntable ladder fire engine. I literally jumped from the roof of the bus and grabbed the top of the ladder. Hanging on I was lowered to the ground.
It was great fun but the icing on the cake was on the final night when Vera Lynn joined in the finale. We all sang along with her as she went through her most memorable songs. Hundreds of troops and us firemen were in tears it was such a proud moment.
No photos were taken but not to worry there would be a BBC Video tape of the whole show. I purchased one and treasured it dearly. Unfortunately my eldest son being a ten year old West Ham supporter, managed to override the tape with a West Ham match!! I was livid. Despite searching BBC archives and you tube I can find no visual record of our opening scene or more importantly us singing with Very Lynn.
So you will have to take my word for it, yes I was there and I’ll never forget it. RIP Dame Vera, what a wonderful life you had.