Dame Vera Lynn Memorial could also honour Sir David Amess
It's hoped it'll remember them both
Last updated 19th Oct 2021
The daughter of Dame Vera Lynn says a memorial statue to her mother should now include a tribute to Sir David Amess.
The Southend West MP supported and helped launch the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Appeal, a campaign working to have a statue erected in honour of the forces' sweetheart, which is costing around ÂŁ1.5million.
The statue will be designed and created by sculpture Paul Day and will be situated on the White Cliffs of Dover, the subject of one of Dame Vera's most famous songs.
Sir David was stabbed to death in Leigh-on-Sea on Friday (15 October) and since his death, donations have poured in, in his memory.
Dame Vera's daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones said:
"Sir David was the instigator. He was the one last November, who said 'come on, let's get this going'.
"He would get everybody onboard and he was absolutely wonderful.
"We're going to miss him, apart from the fact we're going to miss him as a person, we're going to miss him dreadfully, because he was our beacon if you like."
She added:
"It'll be a memorial, not only to her, but partly to him. I'm sure other people will want to do something else too, quite rightly, but the connection to Mummy was so strong that I hope that they will help us to raise this money and remind everybody of both of them really."