成人论坛

In the 1930s and 40s Helen Clare was a regular on 成人论坛 Radio and a pioneer of television too. With her distinctive soprano voice she joined forces with some of the biggest names of the time and covered hit songs including 鈥淏eneath the lights of home鈥� and 鈥淐oming in on a Wing and a Prayer鈥�. Throughout World War 2 her musical talent helped to keep spirits high for the troops and for families back home.

When Songs of Praise celebrated the 70th anniversary of VE in 2015, Helen shared with Pam Rhodes her vivid memories of the War and reflected: 鈥淚 was at my happiest when I was entertaining鈥�.

Helen had a strong Christian faith but as she told Pam with a chuckle, faith in God was not all they relied on to keep their spirits up in the dark days and nights of war.

鈥淲e had this awful night, so we all trooped in to an air raid shelter. And at one point we鈥檇 run out of booze so we went into the pub and as we walked through the door, all the shelves came down and the door came in! But we managed to get a bottle of rum to take back!鈥�

After entertaining thousands throughout the conflict, when VE Day finally came Helen decided not to join the crowds,

鈥淚 just wanted to be on my own. I went back to my flat and climbed out on to the roof and just looked out over London, it was an emotional feeling. There鈥檇 be no more bombing and no more killing, so I just sent a prayer up of thanks for it.鈥�

Helen passed away in 2018 at the age of 101. Her family have kindly agreed for us to share her story again as a tribute to her life and legacy.

More on Songs of Praise, Sunday 10th May 2020 on 成人论坛 1 at 1.15pm and on iPlayer afterwards.

Show less