“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.”Sir Tom became a national hero by his humble fundraiser – walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday in April 2020.His story captured the nation’s hearts, and his goal of raising $1800 for the National Health Service ended up netting $57 million.
A book was written about him and he hit number one in the charts with a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone.The Queen knighted him in July in a special socially distanced ceremony on the lawns at Windsor Castle.A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Cpt 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.”Mr Johnson 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,” he said.
“It is quite astonishing that at the age of 100 he raised more than £32 million 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. “Beckham met Sir Tom when he presented him with a framed football shirt after he became the first member of the Lionhearts squad of inspirational heroes.He described him as a “true hero” on Instagram, adding: “What he achieved for our NHS will never be forgotten.“Tom, you were truly the very best of British.“When our country and our world was struggling you gave us hope, put a smile on our faces and made us believe that tomorrow would be a good day. Rest in Peace Sir Tom.”
HERO ‘GAVE HOPE’ IN A GLOOMY YEARIt was announced Sir Tom died peacefully on Tuesday with his family at his side.The World War II veteran, who raised millions by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday during last year’s lockdown.The image of the stooped but dapper veteran, leaning on his walking frame and rarely seen without shining military service medals pinned to his blazer, and a regimental tie, was a rare good news story in a gloomy year.It gave the public hope and helped galvanise Britons’ gratitude to the state-run National Health Service (NHS), and the need to help others at time of need and uncertainty.“In the last war, it was soldiers in uniform on the front line,” Sir Tom said at the time. “This time our army are the doctors and nurses (in) uniforms. We will survive this.” He added: “They have done incredible things for me and my family, and I am glad that I have been able to give something back to them, especially at this deeply challenging time.”
The final length of his garden on April 17 was met with a guard of honour from soldiers of the Yorkshire Regiment and was broadcast live on British television.His accomplishment turned him into an celebrity. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called him a “beacon of light” and a “true national treasure”.And his determination even caught the eye of the Queen, who gave him a knighthood in the grounds of Windsor Castle in what was one of the most poignant moments of the pandemic.The socially distanced outdoor ceremony in July 2020 was the Queen’s first public event since the outbreak began.
Sir Tom’s daughter Hannah broke the news of his illness on Sunday (local time), revealing that he had been treated for pneumonia for several weeks but had now contracted COVID-19.Mr Johnson, who himself spent weeks in hospital with the bug last April, wished Sir Tom a quick recovery.“My thoughts are very much with @CaptainTomMoore and his family. You’ve inspired the whole nation, and I know we are all wishing you a full recovery,” he said on Twitter.Sir Tom started out last year hoping to raise $1800, but his story captured global attention.His illness has rocked Britain, and comes as the union has been battling a deadly second wave that has been putting hospitals under significant pressure.His daughter Hannah said that while Sir Tom was ill, he was not in intensive care.“He was at home with us until today when he needed additional help with his breathing,” she said in a statement.“He is being treated in a ward although he is not in ICU.”
Sir Tom had been admitted to Bedford Hospital, an hour north of London, and not far from Bletchley Park where codebreakers helped end World War II.“The medical care he has received in the last few weeks has been remarkable and we know that the wonderful staff at Bedford Hospital will do all they can to make him comfortable and hopefully return home as soon as possible,” Hannah said.“We understand that everyone will be wishing him well. We are of course focusing on my father and will update you when we are able to.”
Sir Tom became one of the most famous people in Britain after his knighthood. A book has been written about his life and he hit number one on the music charts with a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, which was recorded with Michael Ball and the National Health Service choir.The inspiring song, which is also a tune made famous on the terraces of the Liverpool Football Club during matches, helped lift a veil of gloom that had covered the UK, which has been the hardest hit country in Europe by coronavirus.He also became a cover star on GQ magazine, significantly raising the average age of cover models on the glossy men’s magazine.His illness comes after he spent time in Barbados in December after British Airways flew him there for free in recognition of his service to his country. Sir Tom revealed the secret to his life in an interview with the Sunday Times in December.“I felt younger rather than older when my grandchildren were born. That’s because I still remember what it feels like to be young,” he said.“I cook my own dinner, always something mushy, and we eat together. Teenagers are not easy, but old people aren’t easy either: the trick is to keep your mouth shut, even when you’re right.“I don’t know what 100 is meant to feel like, but I don’t feel very old inside. I don’t sleep well, but I’m sure it will get better because things generally do.”Sir Tom received more than 150,000 cards for his 100th birthday, which was on April 6, 2020. Some 100 of those cards were donated to the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, just south of Cambridge. The museum also has an exhibition about the Myanmar campaign, where Sir Tom served during World War II.That battle was often overlooked among the general population because of the devastation in Europe, and the final days of the war in Japan. The cards were also put on display at his grandson’s school, filling its gym, extraordinary pictures showed.
stephen.drill@news.co.uk
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