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Moore, who raised tens of millions of pounds for the National
Health Service by walking up and down his garden, leaning on a
frame, died on Tuesday in Bedford Hospital after suffering
pneumonia and COVID-19. He had been fighting cancer for 5 years.
Outside his home in Marston Moretaine, 50 miles (80 km) north of
London, children laid flowers. One message read: "Rest in Peace
Captain Tom. We love you. X."
"You will always be our hero," read another message. "Thank you
for your warmth and your wonderful smile. Rest in Peace."
His picture was shown on Piccadilly Circus in central London
while the London Eye, Wembley Stadium and the Blackpool Tower
shone lights of honour.
Condolences poured in from Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister
Boris Johnson and even the White House while soccer players,
school children and his family shed tears for a man who millions
consider a lockdown hero.
Amid the death and gloom of the COVID-19 pandemic, war veteran
Moore's wit and inspiration struck a chord with millions.
"For all those people who are finding it difficult at the
moment: the sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go
away," said Moore, dressed in a blazer and tie and displaying
his war medals, after completing his walk in April.
Raised in Yorkshire, northern England, Moore served in India,
Burma and Sumatra during World War Two. Always polite and dapper
in public, Moore had a mischievous humour.
When asked about speculation he would be knighted by the queen,
he quipped that he would find it funny to be known as "Sir
Thomas Moore" - a reference to the Tudor statesman.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth at a ceremony at Windsor
Castle.
"Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Captain Sir Tom and his
family at Windsor last year," Buckingham Palace said. "Her
thoughts and those of the Royal Family are with them."
While Moore exuded modesty, his fame was global: CNN ran a
banner headline about his death during the news, Russia news
broadcasts reported that "Tom Moore died like a real soldier"
and his death was reported across Asia.
The United Kingdom has the world's fifth worst official COVID-19
death toll - currently at 108,013 - but Moore brought hope to
many.
"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," his daughters said.
Health Minister Matt Hancock told BBC television: "We should
find a way to make sure that we mark the memory of Captain Tom
and thank him for the contribution that he made for the NHS
(health service).
"He touched the heart of the nation and we should remember
that."
(Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
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