In the Second World War, he was a valiant soldier, spending much of the conflict in the unforgiving Burma campaign against Japan, confronted by hostile conditions and an implacable foe.
Another kind of valour motivated him after the outbreak of Covid-19 last year. Having almost died after a serious fall at his Bedfordshire home in 2018, the 99-year-old veteran decided to embark on a fundraising daily walk for the NHS to repay the dedication of the hospital staff who had cared for him.
His mission soon caught the imagination of the media and the British public, not least because of the toughness of the challenge, since every step was uncomfortable for him.
It willbe a fitting tribute to a man who raised millions for the NHS, a feat that saw him knighted by the Queen.
Capt Tom also reached number one in the music charts with a recording of You ll Never Walk Alone alongside Michael Ball.
He died yesterday morning after a short battle with pneumonia and Covid.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson led tributes to the war veteran, saying: 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.
BBC News
Published
media captionA look back at Captain Sir Tom Moore s life
The organiser of a clap for Captain Sir Tom Moore has said she will make sure he is never forgotten .
Hannah-Jayne King, from Cwmbran in Torfaen, had initially set up a Facebook campaign to dedicate a round of applause to the veteran on Friday.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a clap dedicated to the NHS fundraiser which took place on Wednesday evening.
Capt Sir Tom died on Tuesday aged 100 after contracting coronavirus.
He raised almost £33m for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden.
Ms King took part in Wednesday s clap and said she would continue with her plans for the one on Friday.
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