During World War II, two figures symbolized the spirit of Britain. Winston Churchill was one and Vera Lynn was the second. The optimism, hope, realism and cheerful good humour of the British people was personified by the irrepressible energy of Vera Lynn who sang to the troops abroad and reached the hearts of the people on the home front. Mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, sons, daughters were all moved by the courage and unshakable optimism that she displayed during those terrible years. This does not pretend to be any form of military history, although the events of the war are not by any means ignored. Thus, Vera Lynn looks at the way our parents and grandparents lived during those extraordinary years. Rationing, air raids, adjusting to loved ones being on leave, travelling about in our towns and cities, going to work - trying to lead a normal existence; family life, the royal family; the Season, education, evacuation, sport, culture, commerce and social intercourse are all addressed. How did the British deal with all these aspects of life during the years between 1939 and 1945? To mark the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, this book will remind readers of the fashions of the time, the films of the year, the songs that people were singing and whistling, headlines that people absorbed every day as they travelled to work on the tube - of how life was conducted on the home front.