Britain salutes Captain Tom: Nation takes to doorsteps to pay tribute to fundraising hero

100

View
comments

Hundreds of thousands of Britons across the nation have taken to their doorsteps this evening to pay tribute to Sir Captain Moore after he died of coronavirus yesterday.  

Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the national round of applause at 6pm from Downing Street, with the veteran’s family also taking part. 

Images showed his emotional daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore leaning on her son Benjie as they marked the applause alongside her daughter Georgia and husband Colin Ingram outside Captain Tom’s home in Marston Moretaine near Milton Keynes.

They were joined by hundreds of thousands thousands of well-wishers who showed their support for the 100-year-old by standing on doorsteps and leaning out of windows to clap. 

Captain Tom became a national treasure during the first coronavirus lockdown after he raised £33 million for the NHS by doing laps of his garden. His death was met with an out-pouring of grief with the Queen leading tributes.

MPs held a minute’s silence before Prime Minister’s Questions at midday, after which Mr Johnson asked Britons to take part in a clap straight after his 5pm Covid press conference. 

He also threw his backing behind a statue to commemorate the war veteran for his efforts during the pandemic. 

Speaking at today’s coronavirus briefing ahead of the clap, the PM added: ‘Tonight, let’s clap together for Captain Tom at 6pm and let’s clap for the spirit of optimism he stood for, but let’s also clap for all those he campaigned for. Our brilliant NHS staff and care workers. 

‘Let’s do everything we can to carry on supporting them because if we stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives then, in the words of Captain Tom, tomorrow will be a good day.’

Captain Tom’s family said they were ‘incredibly touched’ by the gesture, which was the product of a social media campaign.   

‘They will be taking part with huge love in their hearts for their father, grandfather and father-in-law,’ the @captaintommoore Twitter account said. 

Floral tributes are now piling up on the village green in Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire, near the house where he lived with one of his daughters and her family. A giant mural has appeared bearing his image in East Belfast. 

Nurses and doctors at Bedford Hospital who were directly involved in the care of Captain Sir Tom Moore joined the national clap to celebrate his life.  

Hospital leaders said the centenarian was a ‘source of huge inspiration and pride’ and they announced plans to create some sort of memorial for Sir Tom at the hospital.

David Carter, chief executive of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Having spoken to colleagues involved in Captain Moore’s care, both in the past few days and over previous years, we know he was a gentleman in person as well as a respected public figure, and he inspired them deeply.

‘We’ll be engaging with our staff, including those frontline care workers who have supported Tom and got to know him over the years, how best to further mark his life, commemorate him and pay permanent tribute to him at the hospital.

‘Tom’s family have been gracious and generous in their praise for my colleagues here at the hospital for their care, kindness and compassion for their father, which we greatly appreciate.

‘I’m proud that tonight I will be among staff at the hospital clapping for Captain Tom.’

Simon Linnett, chairman of the trust, added: ‘He raised millions of pounds which will give huge benefits to colleagues and patients.

‘But more than that was the contribution he made to raising the morale of staff in the NHS and the public – he was a source of huge inspiration and pride.

‘I am immensely proud of all our trust staff who have worked so tirelessly through the pandemic.

‘On their behalf, and those across the community – with the council and other partners all playing a part in his treatment and care – I want to pay tribute to Tom for everything he has done for the NHS and for the country, in a very dark and very challenging period.’ 

Speaking today, Health Secretary Matt Hancock backed calls for a statue of Captain Tom, while TV star Amanda Holden circulated a petition calling on Mr Johnson to make the plans a reality.       

Addressing the Commons, Mr Johnson said Captain Tom had dedicated his life to serving others, and encouraged everyone to take part in tonight’s tribute – which will also recognise NHS health workers.

‘We all now have the opportunity to show our appreciation for him and all that he stood for and believed in,’ he said. 

‘That is why I encourage everyone to join in a national clap for Captain Tom and all those health workers for whom he raised money at 6pm this evening.’ 

It came as Captain Tom’s family revealed he only tested positive for coronavirus after his ten-day stay in hospital being treated for pneumonia.

The war veteran had been previously regularly screened for Covid-19, due to his age making him more vulnerable to the disease. 

The House of Commons fell silent in tribute to Sir Tom ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions. 

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said of Sir Tom: ‘His dignity and determination in raising money to support the NHS charities caught the nation’s mood at the most difficult time. He exemplified the best of our values.’

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Captain Tom’s contribution – having raised more than £32 million for the NHS during the first coronavirus lockdown – will be formally marked.

Asked whether a statue might be built ‘in possibly his home town or where he was born or in London’, Mr Hancock told LBC: ‘Yes, I do think that we should find a way, at the right time, to honour the contribution that he made to the NHS and he was an inspiration to so many people.’

His comments on a memorial came amid calls for Captain Sir Tom to be honoured on the Fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square or to receive a stone in Westminster Abbey. 

Mr Hancock told BBC Radio 4: ‘I hope that at the right time we will find the way permanently to honour his contribution to the NHS.

‘He became to symbolise something and something that we all needed to see – that cheerful resilience in the face of difficulty and adversity and the fact that everybody do what they can.’

And asked later whether a statue might be built ‘in possibly his home town or where he was born or in London’, Mr Hancock told LBC: ‘Yes, I do think that we should find a way, at the right time, to honour the contribution that he made to the NHS and he was an inspiration to so many people.’ 

Captain Tom’s grandson Tom Teixeira today paid tribute to his ‘patriot’ grandfather, who was knighted by the Queen last year.

‘I know how much it meant to him meeting the Queen, it’s a shame we couldn’t be there, but I know how much joy that would have brought to him,’ he told LBC. ‘He’s such a patriot to the country.

‘I’ll definitely remember him for everything he’s done. He’s been a father figure for all of us. He showed so much resilience. It’s all rubbed off on us and in a sense the whole country.’

Recalling his irrepressible energy and enthusiasm, Tom continued: ‘He doesn’t slow down for anyone, even at 100-years-old with a Zimmer-frame, walking laps of the garden.

‘He just always taught me. I remember growing up with him we would go ride bikes along a train track in Gravesend, he wouldn’t slow down for me, he would just carry on going and would say ”come-on Thomas”.’ 

The Second World War veteran, who died at Bedford Hospital yesterday after testing positive for Covid-19, lived in Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire.

A steady stream of well-wishers laid flowers at the village green in Marston Moretaine today, with dozens piled up by lunchtime.

A message on one bouquet read: ‘Thank you for everything Captain Tom.

‘May you rest in eternal peace.’

Another said: ‘An inspiration to the nation. Our deepest condolences on the loss of a great man.’

A third said: ‘You will always be our hero and forever you will remain in all our hearts. ‘Tomorrow will be a better day’.

‘Thank you for your warmth and your wonderful smile.’

A number of PCSOs stood by the gate to Sir Tom’s house, with a police presence throughout the day and plastic barriers stopping traffic from entering the residential side street.

Bill Chandi, Marston Moretaine’s postmaster, said he was ‘shellshocked’ when he heard of Sir Tom’s death.

‘We were expecting that Captain Tom would pull through, but this virus has taken our dear Tom away from us,’ he said. ‘He will be extremely missed.’

He said he had known Sir Tom for more than 20 years and that Sir Tom would visit the Post Office twice per week.

‘We always had a little natter and he had a bit of a joke and a laugh,’ he said.

Today it emerged that Captain Tom was clear of coronavirus on December 9 before he flew away for what would be his final holiday to Barbados and again when he arrived home on January 6.

After returning to the UK he was admitted to Bedford Hospital on January 12 where he was diagnosed with pneumonia.

As is standard for patients, he was tested on entry for coronavirus and throughout his stay and results all came back showing he was negative for Covid-19. He was unable to get a vaccine jab because of the treatment.

But by the time he was discharged from the hospital on January 22 tests showed he had now caught the disease.

At his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, he was cared for by family and medics until he had to be taken back to hospital on January 31 by ambulance when he started having breathing difficulties.

The next Tuesday, February 2, his devastated daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira announced he had passed away peacefully.

Information on the sequence of events leading up to the hero’s death has been released by his family. The hospital have not commented today.

A statement said Sir Tom was tested regularly for Covid-19 between December 9 and January 12 and each test returned negative.

It added: ‘He was admitted to hospital on January 12. Whilst in hospital he received a pneumonia diagnosis. In addition, as with other patients, he was tested regularly for Covid-19.

‘On January 22, Tom was discharged from hospital back to the family home where he felt most comfortable. Unfortunately he was left still fighting pneumonia and tested positive for Covid-19 that day.

‘He remained at home, cared for by family and medical professionals, until he needed additional help with his breathing. He was taken by ambulance to Bedford Hospital on Sunday January 31.

‘Tom was able to have visitors to say goodbye to him at the end of his life. On Monday evening his daughter Hannah and grandchildren Benjie and Georgia were able to be by his side and his daughter Lucy was able to speak to him on FaceTime.’

The detail on Captain Tom’s tests were disclosed by his family after vile trolling over the weekend over he and his family’s trip to Barbados.

At the time the social media attacks on the star prompted fury from Piers Morgan who railed: ‘If your first thought when hearing Captain Sir Tom Moore is in hospital, fighting coronavirus, aged 100, knowing how dangerous that situation is, if your first thought is to troll him and his family, on Twitter.

‘A perfectly legal trip to Barbados, trip of a lifetime, to give him a break, he had been offered a free trip, we have no idea if it had anything to do with his subsequent illness.

‘We are in February now, this was back in December, we don’t know that at all, but frankly that’s a matter for the family, they did nothing wrong.’        

Captain Tom raised more than £32million for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden before his milestone birthday.  

Today there were calls for Captain Tom to receive a permanent memorial, with Carol Vorderman saying the former serviceman ‘deserves a stone in Westminster Abbey’.

She told ITV’s Good Morning Britain the nation had ‘fallen in love with Captain Tom’ and he was ‘like a superhero’ to younger generations. 

‘I think he deserves a stone in Westminster Abbey because I think he embodies this whole terrible pandemic which we are all living through,’ she said.

‘So many have lost their grandmas and their granddads, their fathers and their mothers, their sisters, their brothers, and I think he embodies that and we loved him.

‘I think we have genuinely fallen in love with Captain Tom.’ 

ITV’s Lorraine Kelly, paying tribute to the hero, agreed a memorial bearing his name should be made as soon as possible.

She said: ‘That empty plinth in Trafalgar Square should have your name on it. Thoughts with your family. You will be so very missed.’

Amanda Holden remembered Captain Sir Tom Moore as a ‘real beacon of light in a time of real darkness’.

The radio and TV presenter also said listeners to her Heart Breakfast show have been calling for a statue of Sir Tom to be erected.

Speaking on GMB, Holden said: ‘I said on my Instagram, he was a real beacon of light in a time of real darkness and he kind of brought us all together and reminded us what an amazing, strong, stoic generation he came from, and it was an example to us all.

‘I always feel enormously sad – Piers (Morgan), I know you were close to your grandmother, I was to mine, and then you see Tom go, and I take it quite personally, because you think it’s another member of that generation that we’ve lost. We will never see the likes of them and their sense of humour and that indomitable spirit ever again, I don’t believe.’

Holden joined Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan in celebrating Captain Tom’s sense of humour and humility. 

Meanwhile, Dame Vera Lynn’s daughter Virginia Lewis-Jones said Captain Moore will be remembered as somebody who ‘stepped up to the mark’.

She said: ‘He was such a wonderful person. There’s something about that age group, they seem to go on forever because they’re so stalwart, and I think it’s what they went through.

‘Tom lived for the country and worked for the country now as he did all those years ago.’

Ms Lewis-Jones said her late mother wrote to Sir Tom because she thought he was ‘fabulous’.

She added: ‘He did now what he did then – fought for what he thought was right.

‘He started off by floating up and down his garden with his Zimmer, did a wonderful job then and has done a wonderful job now, and he’ll always be remembered as somebody who stepped up to the mark.’ 

On BBC Breakfast, Michael Ball and Louise Minchin both broke down during a tribute to the veteran. 

The pair began sobbing after listening back to a version of You’ll Never Walk Alone which the singer recorded with Captain Tom to gain him a No1 single on his 100th birthday.

Ball had to pause briefly as his eyes moistened during the moving rendition, after which he said some words in his memory.  

Last night the Queen had led tributes to him after his daughters announced he had died after being admitted to hospital with coronavirus.  

The centenarian had passed away peacefully in Bedford Hospital with his devoted family by his side for his final hours.

His daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira hailed the last year of his life as ‘nothing short of remarkable’, and said: ‘He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of.’ 

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: ‘The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

‘Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Captain Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year. Her thoughts and those of the Royal Family are with them, recognising the inspiration he provided for the whole nation and others across the world.’

A tribute to Captain Tom was emblazoned on the screens at Piccadilly Circus, while the London Eye, Wembley Stadium, and Blackpool Tower were all lit up in his honour.

Downing Street lowered its flags to half-mast as Boris Johnson hailed the national hero as a ‘beacon of hope in the world’. 

And in a mark of Captain Tom’s international acclaim, Joe Biden’s White House posted a tweet paying tribute to the man ‘who inspired millions through his life and his actions.’ 

The Prime Minister said: ‘Captain Sir Tom Moore was a hero in the truest sense of the word. In the dark days of the Second World War he fought for freedom and in the face of this country’s deepest post war crisis he united us all, he cheered us all up, and he embodied the triumph of the human spirit. 

‘It is quite astonishing that at the age of 100 he raised more than £32million for the NHS, and so gave countless others their own chance to thank the extraordinary men and women who have protected us through the pandemic.

‘He became not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world. Our thoughts are with his daughter Hannah and all his family.’ 

Captain Tom’s daughters had announced the sad news that their father had passed away just after 4pm on Tuesday afternoon.

They said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Captain Sir Tom Moore.

‘We are so grateful that we were with him during the last hours of his life; Hannah, Benjie and Georgia by his bedside and Lucy on FaceTime. We spent hours chatting to him, reminiscing about our childhood and our wonderful mother. We shared laughter and tears together.

‘The last year of our father’s life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of.

‘Whilst he’d been in so many hearts for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever.

‘The care our father received from the NHS and carers over the last few weeks and years of his life has been extraordinary. They have been unfalteringly professional, kind and compassionate and have given us many more years with him than we ever would have imagined. 

‘Over the past few days our father spoke a great deal about the last 12 months and how proud he felt at being able to leave behind the growing legacy of his Foundation.

‘We politely ask for privacy at this time so we can grieve quietly as a family and remember the wonderful 100 years our father had. Thank you.’

On Sunday Ms Ingram-Moore had revealed he had been battling pneumonia over the ‘past few weeks’ before also testing positive for Covid-19 a week ago.

The former serviceman was then taken to Bedford Hospital in Bedfordshire on Sunday night after requiring ‘help with his breathing’, but was not put into intensive care.

Captain Tom had not been able to have the coronavirus vaccine because of the pneumonia. 

Originally from Keighley, West Yorkshire, Captain Tom had been on a dream holiday to Barbados on December 11 after British Airways offered him free flights to the Caribbean.

He had not been seen in public since the pre-Christmas break, but tweeted as he departed: ‘The support I have been shown in 2020 has given me renewed energy and yesterday I get to tick something off my bucket list.’  

He first shot to international prominence in the teeth of the first wave of the pandemic last year, when on April 6, the 99-year-old set off to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

Captain Tom aimed to raise £1,000 for the NHS.

But after capturing the nation’s hearts the money donated to his Just Giving page grew exponentially and by his 100th birthday on April 30, the sum had surged to almost £33million.  

Flowers and candles were laid outside his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire. 

Jonny Taylor, 28, who left a bunch of flowers outside the family home, said: ‘I’ve lived in Marston for about five years now and I had no idea about Captain Tom until his heroic efforts last April.

‘I just wanted to pay respects to the remarkable person and the remarkable family as well. He will be sorely missed.’

Blackpool Tower and Wembley Stadium were among the places lit up in his honour.

Several football matches also marked his death before kick-off. 

And public figures and reams of fans from across the world paid their respects on social media.

The Archbishop of Canterbury said: ‘Sir Captain Tom Moore was the very best of us. Where he walked, a nation followed.’ 

The NHS simply said ‘thank you for everything’.  

The White House tweeted: ‘We join the United Kingdom and the world in honoring the memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore, who inspired millions through his life and his actions.’ 

Among the slate of achievements in the extraordinary final year of his life, Captain Tom became the oldest person to reach Number One in the charts, with a version of You’ll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball.

Ball told the One Show: ‘When I got to spend that time with him at his home, that’s when the real Tom came alive because he was so on the ball and so quick,’ the singer told The One Show.

‘He was staggered by what had happened but he’s from that generation that they took it in their stride. He was thrilled by the way everything had gone and was so proud of it.’

Captain Tom was also the oldest person to appear on the front cover of GQ magazine, pictured with his medals proudly pinned to a tuxedo and draped in the Union flag.   

Dylan Jones, editor in Chief of GQ, said: ‘Captain Tom was one of the heroes of 2020, and he was the first person we thought of celebrating when we started planning last year’s Men Of The Year Awards.

‘Not only was he the oldest person ever to grace our cover, he was one of the most gracious. He was a hero, a genuine old-fashioned hero, and I feel blessed that we were in his orbit, albeit for a very brief time.’ 

Rowland White, the editor of Captain Tom’s autobiography, said the fundraiser ‘packed more into the last year of his life than most of us manage in a lifetime’.  

In a statement shared on Twitter, Liz Lees, chief nurse at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘It has been our immense privilege to care for Captain Sir Tom Moore.

‘We share our deepest condolences and sympathies with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.

‘We’d also like to say thank you, and pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore for the remarkable contribution he has made to the NHS.’ 

His daughter Ms Ingram-Moore, a recruitment officer, previously revealed the fundraising idea to walk 100 laps came about after her husband Colin challenged his father-in-law to do the feat. 

Ms Ingram-Moore revealed how her father had a fall in their kitchen at the end of 2018 and had bought himself a treadmill to rehabilitate after he fractured his hip. 

The veteran came out with his walker one lockdown weekend and her husband said: ‘Carry on walking, Tom, we’ll give you a pound a lap. Do 100 by your 100th birthday.’ 

The family were forced to cancel his birthday party in April because of Covid-19 restrictions but set up a JustGiving page in the hope they would raise £1,000. 

She told how the total went to £2,000 overnight and £12million a month later after Sir Tom featured on BBC Breakfast and Michael Ball spoke to him on BBC Radio Two.  

She described how the family were ‘not eating or sleeping’ to manage the technology, phone calls and emails while keeping the recruitment business going. 

‘Dad could see we were so tired and he said: ”Should we make this stop? I’m worried for you’. It was a watershed moment,’ Mrs Ingram-Moore said. 

She continued: ‘We said: ‘No, because what you are doing is having such a positive impact on people around the world.

‘We just have to manage it.’ 

His fundraising led to a slew of personal honours and he was knighted by the Queen and also made an honorary army colonel.

The Royal honour would have seemed entirely unexpected for the 20-year-old who had been conscripted into the army back in 1940.

His career in the services saw him promoted to Corporal, then Second Lieutenant before a captain in 1944.  

He served in India and the Burma campaign during the Second World War.

He had been enlisted into the eighth battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (8 DWR), an infantry unit that was converted to operate Churchill tanks as part of the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC). 

Then after he was selected for officer training he rose to the rank of captain, later being posted to 9 DWR in India.

In his later military years he served and fought in the Arakan in western Burma and went with his regiment to Sumatra after the Japanese forces surrendered in 1945.

Afterwards he became an instructor in armoured warfare in Bovington, Dorset.

The MOD now has a page devoted to him on its website, calling him ‘An inspirational role model’

His dedication to service saw him wear his medals on his fundraising walks, explaining ‘It’s important.

It shows that I was part of a very important and super army at the time who were all battling for our country, which we’re all so proud of.

‘I still very proud of our country.

‘There is nowhere like ours.’

In July the Queen came out for her first official engagement since lockdown to knight him in person for his incredible achievement.

Windsor Castle saw a ‘unique ceremony’ where he had the honour bestowed upon him.

He said afterwards: ‘I am absolutely overawed.

‘This is such a high award and to get it from Her Majesty as well – what more can anyone wish for? This has been an absolutely magnificent day for me.’

Incredibly his fundraising fame was not the first time he had enjoyed the spotlight in front of millions of people.

An unearthed clip showed the then Colonel Tom, aged 63, charm the audience as he chatted to the late Terry Wogan, while appearing on Blankety Blank in 1983.

His good nature was clear as he made the host and audience laugh while telling them he was from a ‘good place’ called Tipps End.

He only managed to walk away with the consolation prize; its infamous chequebook and pen, after appearing on a Christmas special version of the programme.

But in recent times Captain Tom became GQ magazine’s oldest cover star and even scored a number one chart hit with Michael Ball in a charity recording of You’ll Never Walk Alone.  

In an interview with the publication after his award, the veteran opened up about his 20-year first marriage, his beloved late wife Pamela’s battle with dementia, and how he wants to be there for ‘lonely people in need of help’.

He broke down as he discussed the moment he realised he would have to put his wife into a care home. 

He told the magazine: ‘Taking her… she didn’t really know what we were doing. And I felt… I felt I was letting her down. 

‘I realise it was the best that could be done. I realise my effort wasn’t enough.’

He also joked about installing two stair lifts at his home and how he enjoys ‘lots of sugar’ on his porridge every morning, ‘because cholesterol is the least of his worries at 100’. 

The hero also wrote an autobiography and is helping to set up a charity. 

He also launched a £35.95 bottle of gin, his own podcast and there is even a movie in the works after UK companies Fred Films and Powder Keg Pictures bought the rights to the feature about the former British Army captain. 

The centenarian had smiled as he sat in a plane seat emblazoned with his name in a picture shared to his official Twitter page as he went to Barbados in his last public appearance.

Poignantly he revealed the flight ticked an item ‘off his bucket list’.

He said at the time: ‘I never thought that, at the age of 100, I would get to travel again. I’m so grateful to everyone who has made this possible. 

‘The support I have been shown in 2020 has given me renewed energy and today I get to tick something off my bucket list.’

The war hero who became a national treasure by walking 100 laps of his garden: How Captain Sir Tom Moore went from fighting in Burma to raising £33m for the NHS and being knighted by the Queen

Captain Sir Tom Moore’s death yesterday aged 100 marks the end of an extraordinary life that saw him go from WWII hero to quiz show star and then a national treasure after walking 100 laps of his garden to raise £33m for the NHS.

The grandfather-of-four’s service in World War Two took him across Asia and the Far East, including tours in India, Burma and Sumatra.

Back in Blighty, spells as an Army tank instructor were interspersed with work at the family building business – while in his spare time he enjoyed riding motorbikes.

The Yorkshire grammar school lad was to shoot to national attention in 1983, when he charmed the audience on hit BBC show Blankety Blank.

Finally, after his heroics during the coronavirus pandemic, he would be knighted by the Queen, made an honorary member of the England cricket team, and be lauded by Britain’s best-known celebrities and politicians. 

He also became GQ magazine’s oldest cover star and scored a number one hit with Michael Ball in a charity recording of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

But though his family rightly recalled his life as an ‘exciting adventure’ it also saw darker moments, including a sexless first marriage that ended in annulment.

In his autobiography, Captain Tom said he had ‘given up on love’ until aged 50 when he met his beloved second wife, Pamela. They went on to have two children, and the veteran went on to become a proud grandfather of four. 

Captain Tom was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, on April 30 1920.

He attended Keighley Grammar School and later completed an apprenticeship as a civil engineer before joining the Army.

He enlisted into the eighth battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (8 DWR), an infantry unit that was converted to operate Churchill tanks as part of the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC).

In 1940, he was selected for officer training and rose to the rank of captain, later being posted to 9 DWR in India.

He served and fought in the Arakan in western Burma, since renamed Rakhine State, and went with his regiment to Sumatra after the Japanese surrender.

After the war, he returned to the UK and worked as an instructor at the Armoured Fighting Vehicle School in Bovington, Dorset.

He also worked for his family’s building company and later became manager at a concrete company.

In his free time he was a keen motorcycle racer and has admitted receiving a speeding fine while in his late 90s. He also appeared on popular BBC television quiz show Blankety Blank in 1983.

He wrote frankly about a sexless first marriage that ended in annulment.

Although Moore was 50 when they met, he had a 40-year marriage with his second wife, Pamela, and visited her every day while she was in a care home with dementia.

In a BBC interview, he spoke of his distress about her mental deterioration and pity for other residents who had no visitors.

After she died, he moved in with his daughter, Hannah, and his son-in-law Colin Ingram and grandchildren Benji and Georgia in the village of Marston Moretaine. 

Captain Tom suffered a broken hip in 2018 and also required treatment for skin cancer of the head.

His family said this inspired him to do something to help the NHS, and he decided to walk 100 laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine before his 100th birthday to raise funds.

Captain Tom started his challenge in early April 2020 with the initial target of raising £1,000 for NHS Charities Together.

Ten days later, assisted by his walking frame, he had completed 100 laps and raised more than £20 million.

‘It really is absolutely enormous isn’t it?’ he said at the time.

‘That sum of money is very difficult to imagine but it’s coming in so well.’

He vowed to keep on walking laps of the 25-metre circuit, and did so until his birthday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his ‘heroic efforts have lifted the spirits of the entire nation’, the Duke of Cambridge praised him as a ‘one-man fundraising machine’ and he even released a charity single. 

A long list of celebrities praised Captain Tom’s efforts, including David Walliams, Sir Mo Farah, Lewis Hamilton and Gary Lineker, along with politicians and royals including Health Secretary Matt Hancock and the Duke of Sussex.   

Captain Tom’s triumph sparked off an extraordinary few months for the veteran which saw him feted as a national treasure. 

His cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone, together with singer Michael Ball, reached number one in the charts, making him the oldest artist ever to have a UK number one single.

A flypast of a Spitfire and a Hurricane marked his 100th birthday, and he was made an honorary colonel.

Speaking about the flypast, Captain Tom said: ‘I’m one of the few people here who’ve seen Hurricanes and Spitfires flying past in anger.

‘Fortunately today they’re all flying peacefully.’

He raised a total of £32.7 million, with donations from 1.5 million supporters, before his fundraising page was closed at midnight following his 100th birthday.

He started his challenge a little over three weeks earlier, and he encouraged people to continue to donate to NHS Charities Together.

Captain Tom rounded off 2020 with a trip to Barbados with his family, and his fundraising efforts were marked during the New Year drone display in London, as his figure appeared over the O2 Arena. 

He was the guest of honour at the opening of the NHS Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire and the Humber in Harrogate, set up to help with increased numbers of hospital admissions during the pandemic, and he appeared by video link.

So many people sent him cards to mark his 100th birthday that a dedicated sorting office was set up at his grandson’s school.

He was sent more than 140,000 birthday cards, including a signed card from the Queen. 

A train was named after him, he was awarded the Freedom of the City of London, and the postbox outside his village Post Office was painted NHS blue in honour of his efforts.

Captain Tom, who was a cricket fan, was also made an honorary member of the England cricket team.

‘People keep saying what I have done is remarkable, however it’s actually what you have done for me which is remarkable,’ he said at the time.

‘The past three weeks have put a spring back in my step.

‘I have renewed purpose and have thoroughly enjoyed every second of this exciting adventure.’

His daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore said on his 100th birthday: ‘I think we know that he has touched the hearts of many people around the world.

‘He’s definitely engaged us all and given us hope and unity.

‘So, there will be legacy.’

The Captain Tom Foundation was established by his family to ‘spread hope and ease loneliness’, and his Walk With Tom campaign had the same goal during England’s second lockdown in November 2020.

Captain Tom helped raise spirits during the coronavirus crisis, saying in one TV appearance: ‘To all those people who are finding it difficult at the moment: The sun will shine on you again, and the clouds will go away.’

His motto, which signed off many posts from his popular Twitter account, was ‘tomorrow will be a good day’.

Archbishop of Canterbury among slew of fans paying tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore after his death aged 100  

The Archbishop of Canterbury last night was among a slew of fans paying tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, who has died aged 100.

Speaking, Justin Welby said: ‘I am deeply saddened to hear that Sir Captain Tom Moore has died. I pray for his family and friends, and I join millions across the country in mourning with them.

‘Captain Tom was the very best of us. His courage, compassion, resilience, hope and generosity have been an inspiration to millions – and an example to us all. Where he walked a nation followed.

‘I give thanks to God for such a long life, so well lived. May Captain Tom rest in peace.’ 

Singer Michael Ball, who recorded a charity cover of You’ll Never Walk Alone with Sir Tom that reached number one, wrote on Twitter: ‘Rest in peace @captaintommoore. A wonderful life so well lived and a hero and fighter to the very end.

‘So very very sad. Love and prayers for @Hannah-I-M and all the family. ‘

Boris Johnson has spoken to Sir Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore to offer his condolences, while Queen Elizabeth has sent a private message to his family to pay her respects.   

Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted: ‘A proud Yorkshire man. A dedicated Army Officer. A tireless fundraiser. And above all, an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace Captain Tom.’

Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: ‘I’m so sorry to hear that Captain Tom has passed away in hospital.

‘He was a great British hero that showed the best of our country & I send my best wishes to his family at this time.’ 

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: ‘An inspiration to millions, not just in the United Kingdom, but around the world. A bright, kind light in the darkest of times. A British hero.

‘I will never forget his undaunted optimism and how it helped us all to keep going. Rest in peace, @CaptainTomMoore.’

Former PM David Cameron paid his respects, tweeting: ‘Captain Sir Tom Moore has been an inspiration – lighting up what has been such a dark year for so many.

‘My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and with all those who have so sadly lost a loved one due to this terrible virus. RIP Sir Tom, a great British hero.’

Other politicians have also remembered the centenarians phenomenal contribution in 2020, with MPs describing him as a ‘real candle in the gloom’. 

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: ‘A light has gone out in the world tonight, with news of the death of our very own national treasure, Captain Sir Tom Moore.

‘He came into our lives when he was 99, by raising an incredible £32 million for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden with his Zimmer frame.

‘He inspired us during the first Covid lockdown, raised our spirits and made us think that we can do this – we can get through this pandemic.

‘A nation will be in mourning today, and our hearts go out to his family, who have lost a wonderful father and grandfather.

‘Captain Sir Tom, you were a hero during the Second World War. You were a hero during some of our darkest hours. We salute you – may you rest in peace.’ 

For Labour, shadow transport minister Mike Kane added: ‘Some people are born great, some people achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them, and I think Sir Tom probably was all three of those things.

‘An inspiration to the whole nation at a time of crisis, a real candle in the gloom for the British people and I wholeheartedly concur with your comments, Mr Deputy Speaker.’

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: ‘This is incredibly sad news. Captain Tom Moore put others first at a time of national crisis and was a beacon of hope for millions. Britain has lost a hero.’

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: ‘Heartbroken to hear the news that Captain Sir Tom Moore has sadly passed away. He was a true hero, in every sense of the word, and will be mourned by millions. My thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time.’ 

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted: ‘Deeply saddened by the news of Sir @captaintommoore’s death.

‘He was a quite extraordinary individual who inspired and boosted the morale of the whole nation. My thoughts are with his family who can be proud of everything he achieved.’

Veteran fundraiser Lloyd Scott, who wore a 130lb deep-sea diving suit to race Captain Sir Tom Moore at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedford, said: ‘The very saddest of news.

‘Captain Tom was a shining light, who inspired everyone; helping us cope through this dreadful time – battling this ghastly virus.

‘A humble hero, his spirit touched the very soul and brought out the best in humanity. God bless you Tom and RIP.’

DJ MistaJam tweeted: ‘Feeling extremely grateful for Captain Sir Tom Moore today – he was a real beacon of light in such dark times and a reminder that we all have the power to make things better for each other if we truly are willing to put in the effort. Rest in Peace Sir.’ 

TV and radio presenter Amanda Holden wrote on Instagram: ‘Goodbye to this absolute joy of a man. @captainsirtom ..A National Hero who brought us all together and shone so much light in such a dark time. .. his indomitable spirit and sense of humour taught us so much. .. and will live on thanks to the enormous legacy left behind . My love goes out to your wonderful family.’

The NHS, as well as nurses who cared for the beloved veteran, made sure to honour his passing. 

The NHS, for which Sir Tom raised millions of pounds, tweeted: ‘Thanks for everything Sir Tom.’

In a statement shared on Twitter, Liz Lees, chief nurse at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘It has been our immense privilege to care for Captain Sir Tom Moore.

‘We share our deepest condolences and sympathies with his family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time.

‘We’d also like to say thank you, and pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore for the remarkable contribution he has made to the NHS.’

BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire tweeted: ‘Thank you Sir for everything you did for our country. You will never, ever be forgotten

‘To Hannah and your whole family – we were privileged to be able to get to know your father a little. Thank you. What an incredible man. Sending so much love and strength to you’.

Boris Johnson’s fiancee Carrie Symonds tweeted: ‘Just amazing to think what @captaintommoore achieved in his 100th year of life. Thank you for inspiring us all.’ 

Dylan Jones, editor in Chief of GQ, said: ‘Captain Tom was one of the heroes of 2020, and he was the first person we thought of celebrating when we started planning last year’s Men Of The Year Awards.

‘Not only was he the oldest person ever to grace our cover, he was one of the most gracious. He was a hero, a genuine old-fashioned hero, and I feel blessed that we were in his orbit, albeit for a very brief time.’ 

Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuinness tweeted: ‘I never knew Captain Sir Tom Moore personally but, like millions of others, it felt like I did. He brought us together at a time when we needed it the most. I’d smile whenever he popped up on the telly, he made me feel proud, optimistic and hopeful for the future. RIP Captain’.

Radio presenter Zoe Ball tweeted: ‘Captain Sir Tom Moore. Thank you for inspiring us all to do more to help our fellow humans.

‘You are forever in our hearts. May your star shine the brightest for your loved ones. RIP magical chap.’ 

BBC presenter Dan Walker tweeted: ‘How sad to hear about Captain Sir Tom Moore. He did so much to inspire us all last year & achieved so much in his 100th year. He raised millions of pounds, lifted millions of spirits and now millions will miss his wisdom & his smile. My deepest condolences to his loved ones’.  

Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid tweeted: ‘The man who united and inspired our nation at a moment of deepest despair. Thank you Captain Sir Tom Moore for your service. I am heartbroken for your family. A life well lived, and well loved. RIP.’

Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster tweeted: ‘Captain Sir Tom Moore has left us. He leaves behind a living legacy to our NHS heroes and his inspiring example of the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.’

Fitness expert Joe Wicks, also known as The Body Coach, wrote on Instagram: ‘An inspiration who helped millions of people feel hopeful and optimistic during a difficult time. Rest in Peace Sir Captain Tom Moore.’

TV star Nick Knowles tweeted: ‘RIP Sir Tom Moore Was an honour to get to know you & laugh & smile together in Windsor An honourable man, you epitomised positivity & hope.’

Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, said Captain Sir Tom Moore gave the nation a ‘boost when we most needed it’.

She said in a statement: ‘On behalf of everyone in the NHS, I want to pay tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore who has been the model of all that has been good about our country’s response to Covid-19.

‘People rightly marvel at the tens of millions of pounds Captain Sir Tom raised for the NHS, but for me his biggest achievement and most important contribution to helping my fellow nurses, doctors and all those in the NHS responding to coronavirus, has been how he brought the country together and gave us all a boost when we most needed it.

‘I also want to echo the thanks of Hannah and Lucy to my colleagues who have cared for Captain Sir Tom in his final days, and I am proud that the NHS was able to offer Captain Sir Tom and his family compassion, skill and dedication when they most needed it.’

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: ‘In national emergencies ordinary people do extraordinary things and inspire us all to pull together to overcome adversity.

‘Few will have heard of Capt Sir Tom before this crisis but his contribution and example now live on in us all.’

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden tweeted: ‘RIP Captain Sir Tom Moore He captured the hearts of the nation with his incredible fundraising, wise words and can-do spirit Thank you Sir.’ 

Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Captain Sir Tom Moore and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

‘He was a great inspiration to many people with his fighting spirit and optimism during this pandemic.

‘The huge amount of money he raised for the NHS showed how his efforts inspired people, not just in the UK but all around the world.

‘It was a story of hope, determination and, as a man who was Keighley born and bred, of true Yorkshire grit.

‘Captain Sir Tom was one of the heroes of the Covid-19 pandemic, but, as well as that, he was a remarkable man whose compassion for the pandemic compelled him to do his bit to help despite his age.’ 

BBC’s The One Show tweeted: ‘We are so saddened to hear the passing of Captain Sir Tom Moore. He inspired us all and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this time’.