“A beacon of hope for the world” - Tributes paid to former Duke Captain Sir Tom Moore

Sir Tom was born in April 1920 and raised in Keighley, Yorkshire. He attended Keighley Grammar School and later went on to complete an apprenticeship, as a Civil Engineer.
Tom enlisted, as a Private soldier, at the beginning of the war, into the 8th Battalion (8DWR), stationed at Weston Park, in Otley, which was converted to armour as 145 RAC, though it retained its DWR title.
In 1941 Tom was selected for Officer Training and reported to 167 Officer Candidate Training Unit (OCTU), in Droitwich, Cheshire, on March 7, 1941. After completing the course Tom was commissioned, as a Second Lieutenant (2Lt), into the 9th Battalion DWR (146 RAC), which was posted to India on October 25 of that year.
Tom was later promoted to Lieutenant (Lt), then again to Captain. On November 12, 1944 the Battalion was moved to Chittagong, the Waybin, close to the Burmese border on the Arakan and held in reserve, due to Valentines not being used in front line duties. During his service with the 9th Battalion Tom remained a member of the Battalion HQ. He was variously employed as the Battalion instructor of the motorcycle despatch riders, Intelligence Officer, Photographic Officer and Infantry Liaison Officer. Tom was responsible for the technical and mechanical training of the Battalions soldiers and officers, generally on Valentine tanks.On January 18th, 1945 the Battalions ‘A’ Squadron was detached to support 71 Brigade in the amphibious assault on Ramree Island, in February Tom Remained with HQ Squadron in Chittagong.
In May the Battalion moved back to the school of Armour, at Ahmednagar, in India.
Tom returned to the UK in early February 1945, to take a training course on the inner workings of the Churchill tanks, learning to become an instructor. Although the Battalion was earmarked to be equipped with Churchill’s later in 1945, the Battalion was instead converted to using armoured cars.
Captain Tom did not return to the Battalion; remaining at Bovington, as an instructor and the Technical Adjutant, at the Armoured Fighting Vehicle School, until he was demobilised in early 1946.
After leaving the Army Tom had a successful career as a civil engineer. Throughout he never lost his loyalty to the ‘Dukes’ and he joined General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter and other Veterans on his last Regimental Association Battlefield Tour, to Italy, during which he made the steep climb to the top of Monte Cece, at the age of 91.

Captain Sir Tom became a household name after raising almost £33m for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden.

Captain Sir Tom died surrounded by his family, his daughters said yesterday, after he was taken by ambulance to Bedford Hospital on January 31.

He had been treated in the hospital in January for pneumonia, and was discharged on January 22, but later that day he tested positive for coronavirus.

He was treated at home until developing breathing problems.

Yesterday, a statement from his family read: “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.”

Brigadier Andrew Meek, President of the Duke of Wellington’s Regimental Association, said: “Capt Tom, as he was known throughout the Regiment, was an inspiring Yorkshireman and proud member of The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.

“During the dark days of World War Two he served his country as part of the Forgotten Army in Burma and subsequently ensured that the memory of 9 DWR was never forgotten by organising off his own bat their annual reunion dinner.

“Over the past year he raised the spirits of the nation when we were all in need of inspiration due to the pandemic.

“His words of hope and encouragement lifted morale across the country. In undertaking his walk not only did he raise a mammoth amount of money for the NHS he also ensured that the name of the Regiment became known to all, 16 years after amalgamation.”

Buckingham Palace said the Queen and the Royal family’s thoughts are with his family and she has sent a private message of condolence.

In a video message, Prime Minister Boris 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.

“It’s quite astonishing that, at the age of 100, he raised more than £32m for the NHS on his own and so gave countless others their own chance to thank the extraordinary men and women who have protected us throughout this pandemic.

“He became not just a national inspiration, but a beacon of hope for the world. Our thoughts today are with his daughter, Hannah, and all his family, and his legacy will long live after him.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury 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.”

Calderdale Council are flying the Union flag at half-mast at Halifax Town Hall today (Wednesday) in honour of Sir Tom.