Captain Sir Tom Moore dies at 100 after testing positive for Covid
Captain Sir Tom Moore, the second world war veteran who raised almost £39m for NHS charities during the first coronavirus lockdown in spring 2020, has died aged 100 after testing positive for coronavirus.In a statement, his daughters, Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira, 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.”
Moore was admitted to Bedford hospital on Sunday after being treated for pneumonia for some time and testing positive for Covid-19 last week.
Tributes poured in for the man who acquired the status of national treasure in his last year.
In a statement, Boris Johnson described him as “a hero in the truest sense of the word”. He said: “In the dark days of the second world war he fought for freedom and in the face of this country’s deepest postwar crisis he united us as well, he cheered us all up and he embodied the triumph of the human spirit.”
Johnson added: “He became not just a national inspiration but a beacon of hope for the world.”
The Queen is sending a private message of condolence, Buckingham Palace said. A spokesperson added: “Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Capt 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.”
The NHS, for which Sir Tom raised millions of pounds, tweeted: “Thanks for everything Sir Tom.”
Liz Lees, chief nurse at Bedfordshire hospitals NHS foundation trust, tweeted: “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.’’
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, described him as “a great British hero that showed the best of our country”.
The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, paid tribute to “a proud Yorkshire man. A dedicated army officer. A tireless fundraiser. And above all, an inspiration to us all.”
The Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, tweeted: “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.’’
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.”
Singer Michael Ball, who recorded a charity single with Moore 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.”
Moore had been treated at home until Sunday when he needed additional help with his breathing. Information released on behalf of his family revealed he tested positive for Covid-19 on 22 January after returning home from hospital, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia.
The statement said: “Tom was able to have visitors to say goodbye to him at the end of his life. Yesterday 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.”
Moore had been receiving treatment for prostate and skin cancer for the last five years but, with the help of his medical team, had made the decision not to have invasive treatment.
He had not received a Covid-19 vaccine because of the medication he had been taking for pneumonia.
Moore’s fundraising efforts during the first national lockdown in April last year raised £38.9m for NHS charities after his pledge to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday captured the imagination of fans from around the world.
The indomitable spirit he embodied inspired the nation, and he went on to break two Guinness World Records – becoming the oldest person to get a No 1 single in the UK charts and raising the most money for doing a solo charity walk.
Born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, in April 1920, Moore completed an apprenticeship as a civil engineer after finishing school and then joined the army. In 1940, he was selected for officer training and rose to the rank of captain, later being posted to the ninth battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment 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 lived in Kent for many years before moving to Bedfordshire in 2007 to be with his family.
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