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.