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.

In 1939, a newspaper ran a competition for the first load of boys off to war to pick their favourite singer. They chose me from my radio broadcasts. That's when I became known as the 'forces' sweetheart.'

It is so important that British children are taught about the World Wars that their great grandparents fought in and lived through. It was a terrifying time.

You can't have it all one way - be on the telly and the radio and make lots of money - and not offer anything to your followers when they need you.

Perhaps it is no surprise I became an entertainer because many of my relatives were natural performers. Dad, who had a fine pair of lungs, was master of ceremonies at East Ham working men's club in east London. I felt so proud when I saw him in his white gloves calling out the names of the dances.

I always felt that whatever I had to endure was nothing compared to what the average soldier, sailor or airman had to put up with.

Make up your mind what you want to do, and go and get it. Make sure it is not at the expense of anyone else, though.