IWM acquires Dame Vera Lynn wartime archive

The Imperial War Museum (IWM) has acquired the complete second world war archive of the wartime entertainer Dame Vera Lynn.

Lynn starred in the popular BBC radio show Sincerely Yours, which connected troops abroad with loved ones listening at home during the second world war.

Dubbed the “Forces’ Sweetheart”, she toured in India from March to June 1944 to boost the morale of troops. She remained closely connected to the armed forces for the rest of her 90-year career before her death in 2020 at the age of 103.

The archive includes letters from Lynn to her husband Harry Lewis, a personal diary detailing her 1944 tour of India, and shorts and trousers from her tropical uniform. The diary traces Dame Vera’s schedule of back-to-back shows to entertain Empire and Commonwealth troops each day.

The collection also features more than 600 fan letters telling “individual stories of love, loss, and reunions”.

A small selection of objects from the collection will go on display at IWM London in spring 2026. The rest of the acquisition will go through IWM’s collections care processes.

IWM curator Simon Offord said: “This significant collection of Dame Vera’s wartime archive provides a rich insight into her personal experience of the Second World War, as well as the millions who found comfort and connection in her music.

“Dame Vera’s presence during national Second World War commemorations for decades to come means her name is forever connected to the conflict’s memory, and we are honoured to hold these objects, which tell the story of her remarkable legacy.”

Lynn’s daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, said: “These items have been kept by my parents since the beginning of my mother’s career, and when she passed on, I took over the reins of her archive.

“I am very happy to know that these particular items will be kept for posterity in IWM’s Collection, and that a selection of them will go on display for everyone to enjoy and learn about her life. My Father also played a huge part in her life and should be remembered also for his care and work.

“My mother was always so pleased that people enjoyed her music and found solace in the lyrics, as they were so pertinent at the time and even today. Having now found a permanent home at IWM, these items will continue to inspire future generations with the compassion, understanding, courage and hope that she brought to so many.”