Captain Tom Moore passes away after contracting COVID-19

Captain Tom Moore has died after contracting COVID-19 and being rushed to hospital on Sunday with breathing problems. 

Captain Tom Moore raised almost £33 million for NHS charities by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

He passed away on Tuesday after contracting pneumonia and then testing positive for COVID-19. Captain Moore died peacefully at Bedford hospital with his family by his side, and on Facetime, during the last hours of his life. 

Buckingham Palace has sent a private condolence message to his family. His death follows the knighthood that the Queen bestowed upon Captain Tom Moore in July during a private ceremony at Windsor castle. 

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The Royal family Instagram page said, “Her Majesty very much enjoyed meeting Captain Sir Tom and his family at Windsor last year. Her thoughts and those of the Royal Family are with them.”

Captain Sir Tom did not receive the COVID-19 vaccination as he was already taking medication to fight his pneumonia, which left him vulnerable to the virus. 

Capt Sir Tom's daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira said, "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father. 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.”

Capt Sir Tom's wife since 1968 and mother of his two daughters, Pamela, died in 2006 after 38 years of marriage. 

The flag at 10 Downing Street is at half-mast in respect, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid his respects to the war veteran. 

In a statement, 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." 

The British Army paid their respects to the war veteran on Twitter, saying, "It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Captain Sir Tom Moore. An exceptional man and soldier to the end, our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

British musician Yungblud also took to Twitter to share his sadness that the legendary figure had passed away. 

 “A true walking example of extraordinary selflessness dedicating his whole life to help others. an incredible human. rest in peace captain tom. 'tomorrow will be a good day,'" said the rock singer.

From the Queen to a rock singer all sharing their grief, it is clear that a national sense of mourning has occurred in the UK following the loss of a legend who dedicated the last months of his life to helping others.