Quotes from Vera Lynn

I felt very greatly honoured to be given a Damehood and never expected to receive anything else. So for Her Majesty to bestow a further accolade on me is very unexpected and I feel even more honoured.

Entertaining the boys in Burma was something that I will never forget and will remain a highlight of my life.

When I was a toddler, I fell ill with diphtheritic croup and was taken to an isolation unit. One of my earliest memories is of being on my own in a tent surrounded by steaming kettles.

Nostalgia is very powerful.

On one occasion I had to sleep on a stretcher balanced on two kitchen chairs. It wasn't glamorous.

Getting an upset tummy is never pleasant, and it's worse if you get a funny tummy a long way from home.

Singing in the jungle was very hot and very sticky, which was a bit hard going. I had a little piano, which they trudged around on the back of a lorry, hoping it would survive the journeys.

We have always been told not to open the door to strangers, especially because of the terrible things that could happen these days. I never have, unless they are expected and are friends or family.

So many older people are on a very small budget and just wouldn't be able to afford a TV licence.

You never know what's going to happen en route to the airport or station and the last thing you want is to get there just as your train or plane is disappearing into the distance. Get there early, read a book, have a coffee and don't get stressed.

I've had the good fortune of having a long and varied career. Looking back, some might think things have been plain sailing but, as with anything, there have been both highs and lows.

I used to go from place to place by tram. A shilling would take you all around London and the suburbs.

Dover is part of England. It simply can't be part of anywhere else.

Keep interested, read books, watch television and try to keep in touch with life and what people are doing, seeing and enjoying.

My favourite hotel is the Hilton Hawaiian Village beach resort in Honolulu.