Why Cockney, Jon? They're just not pronouncing their aitches so it could be almost anywhere in Britain.

I can vouch for the fact that the WWII and after versions were sung as serious sentimental songs alongside the vilest filthy mysogenistic and racist material. My uncle who was an acclaimed bar-room entertainer would sing this in all seriousness and reverence followed by the Virgin Sturgeon! All manner of material was sung at the sods operas in the British forces as I'm sure they were in other countries.