Anne Ziegler, 93; Half of British Singing Duo During World War II

Anne Ziegler, 93, who was half of one of Britain’s most popular singing acts of World War II, died Monday in Colwyn Bay, Wales, funeral directors said Friday. The cause of death was not announced.

Born Irene Frances Eastwood in Liverpool, Ziegler trained as a classical pianist before studying voice. In 1937, she appeared in the musical “Virginia” in New York, and got a role in the film “Faust” in 1938, the year she married Webster Booth.

The couple launched their double career in 1940 with a repertoire of popular ballads and light operetta pieces, becoming well-known for performances in musicals such as “The Vagabond King” and “A Night in Venice.” They also toured the nation’s music halls and appeared on BBC variety and radio shows, where their staples included “Only a Rose” and “We’ll Gather Lilacs.”

Acknowledging later that British tastes had moved on, the couple moved to South Africa and carried on with their repertoire. They settled in 1978 in northern Wales, where they taught singing and made occasional public appearances. Booth died in 1984.