Storrington care home’s fond memories of Dame Vera Lynn

Dame Vera paid numerous visits to Sussexdown care home, a former Royal Air Forces Association - RAFA - home to meet residents and staff.

With its strong links to the armed forces, Sussexdown hosted annual events in their grounds to commemorate ‘Dutch Day’ whose special guest often included Dame Vera.

The event was organised by the RAFA Amsterdam Branch to mark Operations Manna, which saw Allied forces dropping food to the Dutch people during World War 11.

Residents and guests at the care home, which is owned by not-for-profit charity Care South, were often treated to flypasts and Dutch pilots would drop mini Edam cheeses into the garden in tribute to Operations Manna.

On many occasions Dame Vera, who lived at Ditchling, joined Sussexdown residents while they watched the ‘Dutch Day’ helicopter on the lawns of the care home.

Felicity Irwin, chairman of Care South, said: “It was a great honour and pleasure to meet with Dame Vera on her many visits to Dutch Day at Sussexdown.

“Her visit always brought much joy to the residents and staff and she will be remembered with great fondness for her wonderful smile and charming participation. A true legend.”

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