TRIBUTES have poured in for the force's sweetheart who brought joy and hope to many thousands of soldiers on the frontline of the Second World War after she died aged 103.

Dame Vera Lynn's family confirmed she died early yesterday morning surrounded by her close relatives. A memorial is to be announced at a later date.

Dame Vera was best known for performing for the troops around the world, particularly India, Burma and Egypt. The Queen referenced one of her most well known songs, We'll Meet Again, which became an anthem of hope and resilience during the war, in a televised address to the nation during the early stages of coronavirus.

“Singing in the jungle was very hot and very sticky, which was a bit hard going,” Damer Vera told the Guardian in 2017. “I had a little piano, which they trudged around on the back of a lorry, hoping it would survive the journeys.”

Prince Charles led royal tributes to Dame Vera, whose illustrious career meant she met the King George VI, his daughter the Queen, the Queen Mother and many other Windsors. His Clarence House Twitter account shared a number of pictures of the singer with the words: 'Remembering Dame Vera Lynn'.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said her "charm and magical voice entranced and uplifted our country in some of our darkest hours".

"Her voice will live on to lift the hearts of generations to come," he said.

Singer Katherine Jenkins, who performed Dame Vera's wartime classics for the VE Day anniversary last month, said: "I simply cannot find the words to explain just how much I adored this wonderful lady.

"Her voice brought comfort to millions in their darkest hours, her songs filled the nation's hearts with hope, and her emotive performances, whether home or abroad, then or now, helped to get us through."

WW2 veteran Sir Tom Moore, who raised more than £32m for the NHS at the height of the Coviv-19 pandemic, said she had a huge impact on him when he was serving in Burma and "remained important to me throughout my life."

The Royal British Legion described her as "an unforgettable British icon, symbol of hope to the armed forces community past and present".

Dame Vera established the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity in 2001 and said it was her charity work – not her wartime bravery – for which she wanted to be remembered.

“I’d love it to be my legacy,” she said. “I’ve never considered my actions as courageous. I was just doing my job.”

Sir Cliff Richard called the star a ‘true icon,’ adding: "She was held in such high esteem and my best, and favourite, memory was sharing a performance with her in front of Buckingham Palace for the VE Day celebrations in 1995. "We walked to the stage through a crowd of survivors of that war, and they were reaching out to touch and get a smile from Vera."

Lyricist Sir Tim Rice described her as "one of the greatest ever British popular singers, not just because of her immaculate voice, warm, sincere, instantly recognisable and musically flawless.

"She will be remembered just as affectionately for her vital work in the Second World War and for her own Charitable Foundations in the 75 years since. A link with more certain times has been irrevocably broken," he said.

"Not only was she dear to many, she was a symbol of hope during the war and is part of our national history," BBC director-general, Tony Hall wrote on Twitter. "She demonstrated how music and entertainment can bring joy in the most challenging times. Something that will resonate with many people today."

On her 103rd birthday, in March, Dame Vera shared a poignant message where she urged people to find ‘moment of joy’ during these trying times. She said: "We are facing a very challenging time at the moment, and I know many people are worried about the future. ‘I’m greatly encouraged that despite these struggles we have seen people joining together.

"Music is so good for the soul, and during these hard times we must all help each other to find moments of joy. Keep smiling and keep singing."

Her last public performance came in 2005, at the 60th anniversary celebrations for VE Day in Trafalgar Square. She performed a snatch of We’ll Meet Again, and told the crowd: “These boys gave their lives and some came home badly injured and for some families life would never be the same. We should always remember, we should never forget and we should teach the children to remember."