What time is Dame Vera Lynn's funeral and when will the Spitfire flypast take place?

The beloved singer will be laid to rest today, coinciding with the anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Elena Cruse10 July 2020

Forces' Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn will be honoured with a Spitfire flypast in her beloved Sussex village before her funeral later on Friday, July 10.

The adored singer, who entertained troops with morale-boosting visits to the front line during the Second World War, died aged 103 on June 18.

Crowds are expected to gather in the picturesque village of Ditchling, where she lived for 50 years, to say goodbye to their “special local lady”.

Ahead of the day, a giant portrait of Dame Vera was beamed onto the 350ft White Cliffs of Dover to commemorate her life.

Here, we outline the events taking place today to celebrate the life of Dame Vera Lynn.

Dame Vera Lynn - In pictures

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What time Dame Vera Lynn's funeral?

Ditchling will be at a standstill as police close off roads for her funeral.

The cortege will leave her family home and pause at the crossroads in the centre of the village to allow residents to pay their respects.

The procession will make its way to Brighton at about 11.40am.

The singer with a cutout of her younger self
PA

Once they have arrived at Woodvale Crematorium they will be greeted with a military bearer party ready to receive the coffin.

A bugler from the Royal Marines will provide a musical tribute inside the chapel, and the Ministry of Defence will be represented by a senior officer who, along with the bugler and the small family group, will be the only people to attend the funeral service.

A full memorial service will be held at a later date.

What time is the Spitfire flyover?

At about midday, a Spitfire and a Hurricane – two of the most famous aircraft from the war – will soar over the village in tribute.

The planes will take off from RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, and fly over the funeral procession in Ditchling in East Sussex at noon.

Speaking ahead of the funeral, Dame Vera’s daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones said: “We want to thank everyone for their tremendous support over the past few weeks.

“My mother always appreciated receiving messages from all over the world, and Ditchling was always particularly special to her, that is why we know she would be touched that so many people want to pay their respects in the village tomorrow.”

Dame Vera Lynn, leaving Mansion House, London, following a lunch held for people judged to be the Best of British in 1999
PA

She asked that people follow Government guidance and respect Ditchling’s residents if they are visiting from elsewhere.

She added: “It means so much to us to see my mother’s legacy living on.

“We are sure her music will endure forever but most importantly, we hope that people will continue to support those charities that she cared about so much.”

What other events are taking place?

Dame Vera’s strong association with the famous White Cliffs of Dover was celebrated ahead of the funeral by the projection of a giant portrait of her onto the cliff face.

The image on the 350ft cliffs was visible to ships passing through the Channel, as well as planes flying overhead.

Her image was projected on the White Cliffs of Dover
PA

On land, it could be seen from the main road and the back gardens of local residents.

Ms Lewis-Jones said: “I feel very honoured to have my mother’s image on the White Cliffs of Dover, which is so closely associated with her, and I know that she would definitely feel the same.”

Following Dame Vera’s death last month, residents of Ditchling said the singer was a friendly villager who they shared with the world.

Roy Burman, 71, said: “She was a character in the village, she joined in, while she was capable, with a lot of the activities and was known and loved by residents.

“We thought of her as very much our special local lady, although of course, we shared her with the rest of the world.”

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