New song ‘Irreplaceable’ pays tribute to Sussex singer Dame Vera Lynn

‘Irreplaceable’, sung by Katie Ashby from the D-Day Darlings and written by New Zealand singer-songwriter Vicki Lee, is released exactly one year after the Forces’ Sweetheart died at age 103.

Katie performed the track at The Coastguard in Dover during the launch of the fundraiser for a permanent statue to Dame Vera on the White Cliffs of Dover.

She was accompanied by award-winning composer and pianist Dominic Ferris, and performed ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ as well.

Both songs are now available to download for £1.98 on Amazon, iTunes, and other digital platforms, with all proceeds going to the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue.

“I wrote ‘Irreplaceable’ in 2009,” said Vicki, 68, adding that the original version was a tribute to Sir Howard Morrison, one of New Zealand’s top entertainers.

But, over the years it became clear to Vicki that the lyrics to ‘Irreplaceable’ also captured the essence Dame Vera Lynn, and what she means to everybody.

“I think it’s come full circle,” she said, adding that Howard Morrison would sing a version of ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ during his concerts.