Captain Tom Moore promoted to Honorary Colonel on his 100th birthday

First military promotion in three-quarters of a century for fundraising veteran

Captain Tom Moore, the retired army officer who has raised more than £29m for NHS charities during the coronavirus pandemic, has been promoted to the rank of Honorary Colonel for the military’s college for young soldiers.

The Second World War veteran, who served in the Burma campaign, will move up to his new rank on Thursday, his 100th birthday, which will also be marked by fly-pasts of helicopters and the Battle of Britain Memorial flight.

Captain Moore began his fundraising mission with sponsored walks around his garden at the start of April with the aim of raising £1,000 for NHS Charities Together. Public interest in his effort grew alongside media coverage, and the total hit £29.3m last Tuesday.

The former officer then appeared in a cover version of the song You’ll Never Walk Alone which shot up the chart and made him the oldest person ever to achieve a UK number one hit. The proceeds from sales went to the same NHS charities.

Cpt Moore, who was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, was told of his promotion, which was approved by the Queen, in a letter to his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, from the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Miller. He was also presented with his Second World War Defence Medal, which he had lost, to wear for next week’s VE Day celebrations.

As Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College, based in Harrogate, he will be invited to speak to junior soldiers aged 16 and 17. The Ministry of Defence said it would be an opportunity for them to learn the “the same values and standards that have proved the bedrock of Captain Tom’s life and amazing charity endeavour ... ensuring his incredible example is passed on to the next generation of soldiers”.

General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, the chief of general staff, said: “On behalf of the army, I’d like to wish Captain Tom Moore a very happy 100th birthday and congratulate him on his heroic achievement in raising over £29m for the NHS.

“His mature wisdom, no-nonsense attitude and humour in adversity make him an inspirational role model to generations young and old, so I am delighted that he has accepted the Honorary Colonelcy of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, where our 16 and 17 year olds are trained and educated to be the future leaders of the army.”

Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, said: “Captain Tom Moore not only embodies the spirit of our incredible veteran community, but the resolve of this nation. During these unprecedented times he has reminded us all hardship is easier endured when we place the needs of others above our own, and approach everything with a smile.

“Like millions of others, I put my hand in my pocket for his incredible fundraising feat that will do such good for the NHS working on the frontline of this battle right now. Ahead of VE Day 75, it is fitting that we are once again looking to the Second World War generation to show us the way.”

Junior soldier Ash Greenwood, 16, who attends the Army Foundation College and will join the 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, said: “What Captain Tom Moore did was truly amazing, it is great to see what soldiers can do if they put their mind to it. He knows what it’s like to be on the frontline. He has proved that nearly anything is possible with courage, determination and selfless commitment. It’s an honour to have him as our honorary colonel. It’s brilliant.”

After reaching the £5 million fundraising mark, Captain Moore spoke about why he began his fundraising: “All of them, from top to bottom, in the National Health Service, they deserve everything that we can possibly put in their place. When we started off with this exercise we didn’t anticipate we’d get anything near that sort of money. It’s really amazing.

“They’re all so brave. Because every morning or every night they’re putting themselves into harm’s way, and I think you’ve got to give them full marks for that effort. We’re a little bit like having a war at the moment. But the doctors and the nurses, they’re all on the front line, and all of us behind, we’ve got to supply them and keep them going with everything that they need, so that they can do their jobs even better than they’re doing now.”