Funeral service held for NHS hero Captain Sir Tom Moore

The funeral was attended by eight close family members and was held at midday today (February 27).

The country mourned the 100-year-olds death on February 2, who became a national figure after raising nearly £33 million pounds for the NHS by walking 100 lengths of his garden in Bedfordshire to mark his 100th birthday last year.

Members of the public have been asked to stay at home and not attend Captain Sir Tom Moore’s funeral, but many thousands of people have signed an online book of condolence instead.

The coffin of Captain Sir Tom Moore is carried by members of the armed forces during his funeral at Bedford Crematorium. Picture date: Saturday February 27, 2021.

The coffin was topped with a union jack and a replica of Captain Sir Tom's service cap, a wreath from the Yorkshire resident and his medals, including his knighthood medal.

A specially crafted sword was also atop the coffin donning his motto, "tomorrow will be a good day".

The coffin was carried in by Yorkshire Regiment soldiers who performed ceremonial duties to honour Sir Captain Tom who touched the hearts of the country during the coronavirus pandemic.

A Second World War-era C-47 Dakota, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which operates from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, performed a flypast over the funeral service.

Order of Service for the funeral of Captain Sir Tom Moore at Bedford Crematorium. Picture date: Saturday February 27, 2021.

The funeral was opened with a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone that Sir Tom recorded with Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir that reached number one last year.

Other songs including The White Cliffs of Dover by Dame Vera Lynn, I Vow to Thee My Country by Alife Boe and My Way by Frank Sinatra and Smile, which was specially recorded by Michael Buble were also played at the funeral.

Both of Tom's daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira spoke of her memories with her father at the service.

Hannah said: “We know, because you told everyone who would listen, that you relished this next phase of your life.

“We respected your values, your independence and your space, and you did the same for us, we felt your love and we know you felt our love for you.”

Lucy added: “Daddy, I am so proud of you, what you achieved your whole life and especially in the last year, you may be gone, but your message and your spirit lives on.”

David Pearson, Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire lays a wreath of 200 white roses at the Sir Tom Moore memorial plaque in Keighley, West Yorkshire, on the day of Captain Sir Tom Moore's funeral.

The deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, David Pearson, has laid a wreath in Keighley, Sir Tom’s birthplace, on behalf of the Queen.

The wreath featured 200 white roses around a picture of the late record-breaking fundraiser.

Wreaths of poppies have also been laid by local MP Robbie Moore and the town’s mayor and mayoress, Peter Corkindale and Clare Abberton.

Sir Tom was made an honorary freeman of Keighley last summer when he said “it really is great to be back” as he watched a plaque unveiled in his honour.

Sir Tom asked that his epitaph reads: “I told you I was old”, in reference to comedian Spike Milligan’s famous epitaph: “I told you I was ill.”

Once Covid-19 restrictions permit, the family will inter Sir Tom’s ashes in Yorkshire, with his parents and grandparents in the Moore family plot.