Captain Tom Moore has died at the age of 100 after a battle with Covid and pneumonia.
The veteran inspired a nation when he raised more than £32 million ($61m) for the NHS, walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday during the first national lockdown last April.
He was admitted to Bedford Hospital on Sunday having been treated for "a few weeks" for pneumonia at home. Captain Tom - as he has become universally known - contracted coronavirus some time in mid-January.
— Captain Tom Moore (@captaintommoore) February 2, 2021
Because of the medication he was on for pneumonia, it was not possible for him to receive a Covid jab.
On Monday night, his family gathered at his bedside.
In a statement, his daughters Hannah and Lucy 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."
Liz Lees, chief nurse at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said on Twitter: "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."
Our statement on the sad news of Captain Sir Tom Moore’s death pic.twitter.com/KiUoVHXBfq
— Bedford Hospital (Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS FT) (@bedfordhospital) February 2, 2021
Captain Tom, as he became known in newspaper headlines and TV interviews, set out to raise £1000 for Britain's National Health Service by walking 100 laps of his backyard. But his quest went viral and caught the imagination of millions stuck at home during the first wave of the pandemic.
Donations poured in from across Britain and as far away as the United States and Japan.
For three weeks in April, fans were greeted with daily videos of Captain Tom, stooped with age, doggedly pushing his walker in the garden. But it was his sunny attitude during a dark moment that inspired people to look beyond illness and loss.
"Please always remember, tomorrow will be a good day," Moore said in an interview during his walk, uttering the words that became his trademark.
When Captain Tom finished his 100th lap on April 16, a military honour guard lined the path. The celebration continued on his birthday a few days later, when two World War II-era fighter planes flew overhead in tribute. Moore, a plaid blanket over his shoulders, pumped a fist as they roared past.
In July, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in a socially distanced ceremony at Windsor Castle, west of London. The 94-year-old monarch used an extra-long sword to confer the honour as Moore, wearing his wartime medals on his chest, leaned on his walker and beamed.
"I have been overwhelmed by the many honours I have received over the past weeks, but there is simply nothing that can compare to this," he tweeted after the ceremony. "I am overwhelmed with pride and joy."
Born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, on April 30, 1920, Moore completed an apprenticeship in civil engineering before being drafted into the army during the early months of World War II.
After being selected for officer training, he rose to the rank of captain while serving in India, Burma and Sumatra. After leaving the Army in 1946, Moore went to work for the family construction firm. After that failed, he became a salesman and later a manager for building materials companies.
When the concrete company he was working for was threatened with closure, Moore rounded up a group of investors and bought it, preserving 60 jobs.
Along the way, he divorced his first wife and fell in love with his employer's office manager, Pamela. The couple married, had two daughters and eventually retired to Spain, but returned to England after Pamela became ill.
We're sad to learn of the tragic death of Capt Sir Tom Moore. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has paid tribute to an inspirational veteran and a national treasure.@BWallaceMP | @captaintommoore pic.twitter.com/KgOajp8TJP
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) February 2, 2021
After Pamela died in 2006, Moore moved to the village of Marston Mortaine in Bedfordshire to live with his younger daughter, Hannah, and her family.
The former motorcycle racer finally slowed down after he fell and broke his hip in 2018. A walker replaced the Skoda Yeti he drove until he was 98, but he kept moving.
During a backyard barbecue in early April of last year, Moore's family challenged him to walk the entire length of the 25m driveway. After he made it to the end, his son-in-law encouraged him to keep going, offering to pay £1 for every lap and suggesting a goal of 100 laps by Moore's 100th birthday.
Things snowballed from there.
Moore thought he might be able to raise £1000 for the doctors and nurses who took care of him after he broke his hip, and his family used social media to publicise "Captain Tom Moore's 100th birthday walk for the NHS".
A local radio reporter called first, then national broadcasters. Soon, international media were waiting outside the garden gate.
As he pushed his walker up and down the path, people facing the first lockdown of the pandemic watched online. Soon #TomorrowWillBeAGoodDay was trending on Twitter.
RIP Captain Sir Tom Moore, 100.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 2, 2021
A magnificent man.
A national hero.
In our darkest hour since WW2, he rallied
Britain with his resilience, courage and optimism.
Let us all heed his mantra in our own lives: ‘Tomorrow will be a good day.’
Thank you, Tom. pic.twitter.com/b0rZNfQfrI
"People told me that there was something about my little walk that captured the hearts of those still in shock at the crisis," Moore wrote in his autobiography. "With a rising number of deaths and the prospect of months of lockdown, everyone was desperate for good news. Apparently, a 99-year-old former Army captain who'd fought in Burma, was recovering from a broken hip, and doing his bit for the NHS was just what they needed."
Prince Harry, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and dozens of celebrities cheered for him.
But it was the public that embraced Captain Tom, flooding the village post office with 6000 gifts and 140,000 birthday cards. Moore marvelled that anyone would spend £2 on a card for him, and then put on a mask to wait in line at a post office to mail it.
He was made an honorary member of the England cricket team, had a train named after him, and was recognised with the Freedom of the City of London award. Moore enjoyed the accolades but remained focused on others.
He dedicated his autobiography, Tomorrow Will Be a Good Day, to "all those who serve on the front line of any battle - be it military, psychological or medical".
In the end, Captain Tom urged the public to look after one another, and he thanked the country he inspired for inspiring him.
Remembering a true Knight - Captain Sir Tom - and his example and lessons for living a full life. We will remember - with gratitude and respect. pic.twitter.com/ZJmXTRQd7w
— The Chief of the General Staff (@ArmyCGS) February 2, 2021
"I felt a little frustrated and disappointed after I broke my hip and it knocked my confidence," he said after completing his trek.
"However, the past three weeks have put a spring back in my step. I have renewed purpose and have thoroughly enjoyed every second of this exciting adventure, but I can't keep walking forever."
- Additional reporting from Associated Press.
No injuries were reported and the US had advanced notice of the attack.