Entertaining the Troops

During World War Two the top stars of the day, Vera Lynn, Max Miller, Gracie Fields, Tommy Trinder, the Joe Loss Orchestra and others gave up a lot of their time to entertain the troops serving on the various battlefronts around the world. As well as providing welcomed entertainment and a break from the stress of fighting, their presence on the frontline played an important part in keeping morale high and conveyed to the troops the gratitude of the British public for the sacrifices that they were making.

We hear little about today's top celebrities making a similar effort for the guys in Iraq and Afghanistan. It may be because the stars of today fear reprisals from fundamentalists; there may be other reasons: no money in it, no patriotism, too much hassle, who knows.

However, in 1999 comedian Jim Davidson launched the British Forces Foundation (BFF), a charity whose aim is To promote the Armed Forces through charitable means by supporting the well being and esprit de corps of all serving personnel through quality entertainment. The BFF sees itself as bridging the gap between the British public and the Armed Forces. Jim Davidson writes: "When young soldiers, sailors and airmen are a long way from home, doing their bit for their country, they like to know that people care back here. The appearance of a well known entertainer helps give them that reassurance - as well as cheering them up, I hope!"
As well as staging events in the UK, the British Forces Foundation organises visits by entertainers to troops serving in the warzones and other operational areas. These visits convey to servicemen and women the wide support they have from the British people and the appreciation that is felt back home for the sacrifices that the troops are making.

And "The bigger the star, the more effective the message" - perhaps the likes of Girls Aloud or Take That could make a trip to Basra.

Link> The British Forces Foundation