Captain Tom Moore shares tribute to Dame Vera Lynn as he recalls ‘huge impact’ of her visit to front line

Captain Tom Moore has shared a heartfelt tribute to Dame Vera Lynn after the Forces’ Sweetheart died at the age of 103.

Captain Tom, who raised almost £33 million for the NHS earlier this year by walking 100 laps of his garden, was visited by Dame Vera when he was stationed in Burma (now Myanmar) during World War II.

A message from the 100-year-old veteran was shared on his social media account on Thursday and described the star’s passing as “a real shame” and recalled the “huge impact” of her visit to the front line in Burma.

“A real shame, I really thought Vera Lynn would live longer,” he said.

“She’s been speaking so well on TV recently. She had a huge impact on me in Burma and remained important to me throughout my life.

“My thoughts are with Dame Vera Lynn's family at this sad time.”

Captain Tom previously recalled his encounter with Dame Vera during an appearance on Good Morning Britain in April.

“She came down to see the troops when I was stationed down in Burma,” he said.

Captain Tom Moore's NHS Fundraiser reaches £26 million“I saw her whilst we were out there in the firing line. It gave us so much more additional heart.”

He also revealed that the entertainer had sent him a letter to congratulate him on his fundraising efforts.

“I was amazed when I got the letter from Dame Vera,” he said.

“She’s always been such a top person backing up this country for so long. I say thank you, it’s so kind and thoughtful for you to send me such a lovely note.”

Public figures including prime minister Boris Johnson and her recent collaborator Katherine Jenkins also shared tributes to Dame Vera after her death, with many hailing her as an “icon,” praising her morale-boosting efforts during the war as well as her charity work in the decades after.