Captain Tom Moore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Captain Sir
Tom Moore
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Moore during the period of his 2020 fundraiser
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| Birth name | Thomas Moore |
| Born | 30 April 1920 Keighley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 2 February 2021 (aged 100) Bedford, England |
| Awards |
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| Alma mater | Keighley Grammar School |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1946 |
| Rank |
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| Unit |
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| Battles/wars |
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Captain Sir Thomas Moore (30 April 1920 – 2 February 2021), known to many as Captain Tom, was a brave British Army officer. He became famous worldwide in 2020. At nearly 100 years old, he raised a huge amount of money for charity. This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Captain Tom served in India and the Burma campaign during the Second World War. After the war, he taught others about tanks. He later managed a company that made concrete. He also loved racing motorcycles.
On 6 April 2020, Captain Tom, then 99, started walking laps in his garden. He wanted to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together. This charity helps the UK's National Health Service. He aimed to finish by his 100th birthday on 30 April.
Over 24 days, he became a household name in the UK. He appeared in many news stories. More than 1.5 million people donated to his cause. He received many awards for his amazing effort. He even won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award.
Captain Tom also sang in a cover version of "You'll Never Walk Alone". The money from the song went to the same charity. The song became number one in the UK music charts. This made him the oldest person ever to have a UK number one song.
By his 100th birthday, he had raised over £30 million. When his campaign ended, the total was over £32.79 million. His birthday was celebrated with flypasts by the Royal Air Force and the British Army. He received over 150,000 birthday cards. He was also made an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College.
On 17 July 2020, Queen Elizabeth II personally made him a knight at Windsor Castle. Captain Tom sadly passed away in 2021. He was in Bedford Hospital after being treated for pneumonia and then getting COVID-19.
Contents
Early Life and School
Thomas Moore was born in Keighley, England, on 30 April 1920. He grew up in the town. His father was a builder, and his mother was a head teacher.
He went to Keighley Grammar School. After school, he started training to become a civil engineer.
Military Service
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Captain Tom joined the army in June 1940. This was nine months after the Second World War began. He was part of the 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment.
Later that year, he was chosen for officer training. He became a second lieutenant on 28 June 1941.
In October 1941, he joined the Royal Armoured Corps. His unit became an armoured tank unit. He was sent to India to help train army motorcyclists. He worked in cities like Bombay (now Mumbai) and Calcutta (now Kolkata).
He was promoted to lieutenant in October 1942. He became a temporary captain in October 1944.
Captain Tom served in Burma as part of the "Forgotten Army." He survived dengue fever there. In February 1945, he returned to the UK. He trained to become an instructor on Churchill tanks. He stayed as an instructor until the war ended. He left the army in 1946.
For 65 years, Captain Tom helped organize a yearly meeting for his old army friends.
Career After the Army
Captain Tom officially left the army in October 1946. He was 26 years old. He joined his family's building company.
In 1960, he started working as a salesman for a roofing company. Seven years later, he became a regional manager.
He later became the general manager of a company that made concrete pipes. He helped make the company successful again. In 1983, he and others bought the company. It was renamed March Concrete Products Ltd. They sold the company in 1987.
Hobbies and Interests
Captain Tom loved to race motorcycles. He bought his first motorcycle when he was 12. He won several trophies. He was also interested in photography when he was younger.
He even appeared on a TV game show called Blankety Blank on Christmas Day in 1983.
The 100th Birthday Walk
On 6 April 2020, Captain Tom started his amazing fundraising walk. This was during the COVID-19 pandemic. He wanted to raise money for NHS Charities Together. This group helps the British National Health Service (NHS).
His goal was to walk 100 lengths of his garden. Each length was about 25-metre (27-yard). He planned to do ten lengths a day. He used a walking frame to help him. He called his effort "Tom's 100th Birthday Walk for the NHS."
He first aimed to raise £1,000. But people around the world started donating. The goal quickly grew to £5,000, then £500,000. Captain Tom became very popular after he spoke on BBC Radio 2. He joined Twitter and shared his happiness about the donations.
He reached his goal of 100 lengths on 16 April. A guard of honour from the Yorkshire Regiment watched him. He said he would keep walking and aimed for another 100 lengths.
By the morning of his 100th birthday, he had raised £30 million. His fundraising page closed that day. The final amount was £32,796,475. With expected tax rebates, it was almost £39 million. This was a record for the JustGiving website. Over 1.5 million people donated.
The money raised helps NHS staff, patients, and community groups. It provides things like well-being packs and rooms for rest. It also helps patients stay in touch with their families. After his walk, Captain Tom encouraged people to keep donating to the NHS. He also started his own charity, the Captain Tom Foundation.
Number-One Song
To celebrate Captain Tom's 100th length, singer Michael Ball sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" for him on TV. This performance was quickly made into a digital song. It included the NHS Voices of Care Choir and Captain Tom's spoken words.
The song was released on 17 April. All money from it went to NHS Charities Together. It quickly became number one in the UK music charts. This made Captain Tom the oldest person to have a number one song. He was number one on his 100th birthday!
Another popular singer, The Weeknd, even asked his fans to support Captain Tom. This helped Captain Tom's song reach number one.
Special Recognition
On 16 April, the UK Government said they would find a way to honor Captain Tom. Brigadier Andrew Jackson called him "an absolute legend." Captain Tom was also the guest of honor at the opening of the NHS Nightingale Hospital Yorkshire and the Humber.
On 23 April, he received a Pride of Britain award. Many people had nominated him. On his 100th birthday, he was made the first Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College. He was called "Colonel Tom" in this role. He also received the York Medal for his great contribution to the military.
The Prime Minister also named him a "Point of Light." In May, he received a gold Blue Peter badge. This is the highest award from the BBC children's show. He was also given the Freedom of Keighley and the Freedom of the City of London.
Many people signed a petition asking for Captain Tom to be made a knight. On 19 May, it was announced that he would become a Knight Bachelor. Queen Elizabeth II personally knighted him at Windsor Castle on 17 July. She used the sword that belonged to her father, George VI.
Cranfield University and the University of Bradford both gave him honorary degrees. In July, he became the first member and captain of the Football Association and England National Football Team's Lionhearts squad. David Beckham presented him with this honor.
Media Attention
Many artists painted pictures of Captain Tom. Some gave their paintings to him, others sold them to raise more money. Murals of him appeared in different towns. An official portrait of him is now in the National Army Museum.
Captain Tom gave over 150 interviews. BBC One showed a special program called Captain Tom: We Salute You. ITV also showed documentaries about his life and military career. He was a guest on Piers Morgan's Life Stories.
In November 2020, British GQ magazine named him "Inspiration of the Year." He was on the cover, making him the oldest cover star in the magazine's history.
Guinness World Records
Captain Tom held two Guinness World Records:
- He raised the most money ever in an individual charity walk.
- He was the oldest person to have a number-one song on the UK charts.
100th Birthday Celebrations
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Before his 100th birthday, so many cards were sent to him that Royal Mail had to set up special sorting places. Over 150,000 cards arrived by his birthday.
Royal Mail also put a special message on all stamped mail from 26 April to 1 May. It said: "Happy 100th Birthday Captain Thomas Moore NHS fundraising hero 30th April 2020." They also painted a postbox near his home blue, like the NHS, with a golden balloon.
On his birthday morning, a Hawker Hurricane and a Spitfire from the Royal Air Force flew over his house. In the afternoon, two Army Air Corps helicopters also flew by.
Michael Ball sang "Happy Birthday to You" to him live on TV. Many important people, like Boris Johnson, Harry Kane, and Charles III (then Prince of Wales), sent him birthday wishes. He also had a video call with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Instead of a standard 100th birthday message, Queen Elizabeth II sent him a special, personalized card.
Things Named After Him
The Keighley Bus Company named one of its buses Captain Tom Moore. Other buses showed a "Thank You Captain Tom" message. Another bus company, Stagecoach East, also named a bus after him.
Great Western Railway named a train Captain Tom Moore. GB Railfreight named a train Capt. Tom Moore – A True British Inspiration. Hornby Railways made a model train in his honor. They donated £140,000 from its sales to NHS Charities.
West Midlands Police named a police dog puppy Captain Tom Moore. World Horse Welfare named a foal Captain Tom. A Clydesdale horse born on his birthday was also named Captain Tom. The Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service named a powerboat Captain Tom. Bedford Hospital named a new garden after him.
Medals and Honours
Captain Tom received many medals and honours from the UK:
| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
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Knight Bachelor | Awarded 20 May 2020 |
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1939–1945 Star | |
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Burma Star | |
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Defence Medal | Reissued 30 April 2020 |
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War Medal 1939–1945 |
Personal Life
Captain Tom first married in 1949 to a woman named Billie. That marriage ended. In 1968, he married Pamela. They had two daughters, Hannah and Lucy.
They lived in Welney, Norfolk. Captain Tom and Pamela retired to Spain. But they returned to the UK when Pamela became unwell. She spent her last years in a nursing home. Captain Tom visited her every day. She passed away in 2006.
From 2008 until his death, Captain Tom lived with his younger daughter, her husband, and two grandchildren. He also had two other grandchildren.
In 2018, he had a fall and was treated by the NHS. He had a broken hip, broken rib, and other injuries. He was still recovering when he started his fundraising walk. He also had treatment for skin cancer and had hip and knee replacements.
In December 2020, Captain Tom and his family went on a holiday to Barbados. British Airways paid for his flight.
Death and Tributes
Captain Tom was taken to Bedford Hospital on 12 January 2021. He was treated for pneumonia. He went home ten days later. He tested positive for COVID-19 on 22 January.
He stayed home for nine days, receiving care. On 31 January, he was taken back to Bedford Hospital because he had trouble breathing. He passed away on 2 February, at 100 years old.
His funeral was held on 27 February. Captain Tom had asked for "My Way" by Frank Sinatra to be played. He also wanted his gravestone to say: "I told you I was old."
Many famous people, including politicians, athletes, and celebrities, shared their sadness. The NHS Twitter account said: "Thanks for everything, Sir Tom ♥".
Buckingham Palace said that The Queen enjoyed meeting Captain Tom. Her thoughts were with his family.
Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, called Captain Tom "a hero." He praised his military service and fundraising. Flags at 10 and 11 Downing Street were flown at half-mast to show respect. Johnson also asked the country to join a national clap for Moore on 3 February 2021.
Both Houses of Parliament held a minute of silence for him. The BBC re-broadcast its special program, Captain Tom: We Salute You.
Many people signed a petition asking for a state funeral for Captain Tom. There were also calls for a memorial statue of him. Some suggested placing it in Trafalgar Square or Westminster Abbey.
On 4 February, Barbados' Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, sent condolences. She had met Captain Tom during his visit to Barbados.
On 27 February 2021, Captain Tom's funeral took place. Six members of the Yorkshire Regiment carried his coffin. An honour guard fired three volleys. A World War II-era Douglas C-47 Dakota flew overhead. Only eight family members could attend due to COVID-19 rules, but the service was shown on TV.
The service included his song "You'll Never Walk Alone" and other songs. His family said his ashes would be buried in Yorkshire when rules allowed. This happened on 5 July 2021. His gravestone reads: "I told you I was old."
Captain Tom Foundation
A charity called the Captain Tom Foundation was started in June 2020. Its goal is to help organizations that support older people in the UK. Captain Tom's daughter and her husband became trustees of the charity.
See also
In Spanish: Tom Moore (militar) para niños
