NHS fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore will rest in peace with his very own guard of honour.
His ashes will be watched over by the statue of a soldier following his funeral tomorrow.
The military memorial for 22 soldiers who died in World War One overlooks the family plot in Captain Tom’s hometown of Keighley, West Yorks.
On Saturday morning, World War Two vet Capt Tom, who died earlier this month aged 100, will be accompanied by the military on his final journey.
Six soldiers from the Yorkshire Regiment will carry his coffin into Bedford crematorium for a family service Capt Tom planned himself.
The pallbearers will be led by Regimental Sgt Maj Jamie Pearson, who was on parade last April when Capt Tom reached his original target of 100 laps of his garden.
Iraq and Afghanistan veteran RSM Pearson, 40, was also in charge of the guard of honour on Captain Tom’s 100th birthday — the day he finished his walk which raised £39million for NHS charities.
At today’s funeral 14 soldiers will fire their rifles in tribute to Capt Tom, who was a tank commander in Burma.
Five members of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, where he was made honorary colonel, will form a ceremonial guard.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “It is an honour to be asked to undertake such a prominent role.”
Because of Covid rules, only eight family members will attend. Police are warning the public to stay away from the area.
Capt Tom’s daughters Hannah, 50, and Lucy, 52, along with their husbands and four children will say farewell before the service ends with Frank Sinatra’s My Way.
A flypast will be shown on BBC and Sky TV.
He inspired us
CAPTAIN Sir Tom Moore was justly proud to his last day of his service with the Yorkshire Regiment.
He was among those veterans who stood and served again in this trying time — one of the band of brothers who never lost their spirit of service and ingrained desire to do their bit for Queen and country.
He showed us what we can achieve by ourselves and how much more we can accomplish together.
He symbolised steadfast, tireless public servants, NHS workers, military personnel and the multitudes who have kept our country going.
When our spirits were low this stoic veteran radiated hope. Captain Tom, you inspired a nation.
- By Johnny Mercer, Minister for Veterans
More than 5,000 have already signed an online book of condolence.
Today, floral tributes were already beginning to appear beside the stone obelisk that marks the family plot, where Capt Tom’s parents and grandparents are buried.
One read: “RIP Captain Tom. Thank you for all you did for us in 2020.”
Source: The Sun
