Description
Object description
British civilian singer and broadcaster with ENSA and BBC in GB and Far East, 1939-1945.
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in GB, 1917-1939: family background and childhood in East Ham, London; singing career after leaving school including working with band leaders Howard Baker and Billy Cotton; story of discovering personal style of singing; description of work with Joe Loss and Charlie Kunz bands; first broadcasts; question of appearance; story of being turned down by Henry Hall; pre-war singing career including television appearances; importance of radio during1930s and 1940s; preference for live broadcasts; pre-war fan club; relations with the press; description of pre-war entertainment industry; reaction to outbreak of war and possible effect on career, 9/1939. Aspects of period in GB, 1939-1944: description of professional work during early part of war, including visits to hospitals and aerodromes and BBC broadcasts; story of the Variety Theatre in London staying open during the Blitz; daily life in London during the Blitz including performing during air raids and sleeping on theatre floor at night; informal nature of concerts during the Blitz and after-show parties with audience; story of beginning solo career and importance of radio in establishing name; reaction to being voted the 'Forces Sweetheart'; question of choosing the right songs to perform, including 'Yours'.
REEL 2 Continues: further comments on songs including 'Yours', 'The White Cliffs of Dover' and 'We'll Meet Again' and special meanings for the troops; story of learning after the war about the impact of songs on civilians living in occupied countries; reasons for wartime popularity; story of starting BBC radio programme 'Sincerely Yours', 1941; description of broadcasting conditions; attitude to being regarded as rival to Lale Anderson and 'Lili Marlene'; question of control over scripts; assessment of visits to factories and canteens as contribution to war effort; reaction to conditions faced by Londoners during the Blitz; story of visiting patients in the 'Guinea Pig Club' at East Grinstead Burns Unit; story of collapsing with appendicitis and subsequent marriage to Harry Lewis of 'The Squadronnaires'; opinion of Canadian and American fans; story of only broadcast with Glenn Miller; attitude to resisting American influence on singing style; story of being criticised for sapping troops' morale with sentimental songs; attitude to performing for pacifists and conscientious objectors.
REEL 3 Continues: opinion of work done by conscientious objectors during war and comparison of bravery with military personnel; story about jealous wife; role as go-between for couples and reporting back from hospital visits to troops; story about war baby; first contacts with Royal Family including performing at Princess Elizabeth's 16th birthday party; reasons for joining ENSA and volunteering to visit Burma, 1944. Aspects of period in Burma, 1944: description of journey to Burma via Gibraltar, Egypt and India and giving performances en route; reasons for travelling only with pianist Len Edwards; description of clothing and reaction of troops; opinion of living conditions in Arakan Road area during monsoon period; story of informal meeting with Chindits; attitude to 'forgotten' status of 14th Army in Burma; description of medical facilities and treatment of wounded; opinion of nurses; problem of water shortages; story of seeing penicillin being used on open wounds; problem of gangrene and smell; role in maintaining morale of troops; description of concerts and varying size of audience; attitude to officers reserving front seats; conditions during concerts and problem of climate; story of eating the same food as the troops; opinion of Gen. Slim and Mountbatten; story of singing to two badly wounded soldiers and later meeting with one on 'This is Your Life' programme; problems with piano; reflections on period in Burma and reaction to being awarded the Burma Star; story of receiving news about D-Day during journey back to GB, 6/1944.
REEL 4 Continues: Aspects of post-war period in GB: description of VE Day celebrations at home in Sussex, 5/1945; question of continuing singing career after war; story of starting work again in GB and abroad, 1947; links with army in Germany and other services; attitude to post-war popularity; opinion of 'Sailing' as ideal song for Falklands War, 1982; effect of war on life and career; reason for being more associated with army than other services; effect of war on entertainment industry; comparison of pre- and post-war recording methods; story about recent visit to Canada; attitude to importance of remembering the war.
REEL 5 Continues: description of various honours received; reflections on career and on still being called the 'Forces Sweetheart'.