It is always pleasant to encounter good memories and nostalgia for some colonial times - whether British raj or Portuguese saudade.
Goanetter Aloysius D’Souza sends me the following email: “Yes Vera Lynn was the sweet-heart of every man (and woman) in the Army, Navy and Air Forces of the British and the colonial forces and also of all of us waiting for news of our men and women at the front-lines in Europe, Africa, Burma and Malaysia -- her songs and also her appearances at the various war fronts kept the men going in spite of the difficulties. In the films of some of her concerts you can actually see grown men with tears in their eyes while joining her in her songs. There is an entire group of videos of Vera Lynn and her tour of the front lines during WW II. I attended a concert at the NAAFI* Hall (which was the cinema hall of St Xavier's Calcutta requisitioned by the British Government) where she performed specifically for the various armed forces located in and around Calcutta. Mum had managed to get us a special pass. I am sure she was singly responsible for raising the morale of our fighting forces. Long live her memory in her songs.” Roland. Toronto.
