The funeral of fundraising hero Captain Tom Moore was held in England with a Second World War plane flying overhead.
His coffin was draped in the Union flag with his military campaign medals, his knighthood medal and a replica of his Second World War service cap placed on top.
A 14-strong guard of honour fired three volleys at the service for the centenarian, who died of Covid-19 months after raising more than £33 million ($46m) for charity.
“You always told us to put your best foot forward and that’s what you did last year,” one of his daughters, Lucy Teixeira, said during the ceremony.
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Soldiers from the British Army’s Yorkshire Regiment carry the coffin of Captain Tom Moore during his funeral service in Bedford, south-east England. AFP -
Captain Tom Moore died on February 3, after becoming a hero for his extraordinary fundraising efforts during the pandemic. AFP -
Moore’s son-in-law Colin Ingram, granddaughter Georgia, grandson Benjie and daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore arrive for the funeral. AFP -
The coffin was draped in the Union flag and his Second World War medals were placed on top. AFP -
He wanted to raise £1,000 and ended up raising £33 million, or $46m. AFP -
A Dakota plane flies past during the funeral service. AFP -
Soldiers from the British Army’s Yorkshire Regiment attend the funeral. AFP -
The order of service booklet for the funeral. AFP
Captain Tom, as he was known, captured the nation’s hearts by starting a sponsored walk, to try to complete 100 lengths of his garden.
He needed a mobility frame to help him and set a target of raising £1,000 for Britain’s National Health Service. He raised £33 million ($46 million).
As his fundraising took off, he reached number 1 in the UK charts with a cover of You'll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir.
And he became Sir Tom when he was knighted by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in July.
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Just eight members of the veteran’s immediate family attended Saturday’s private service, but soldiers carried his coffin to the crematorium and formed a ceremonial guard.
The family urged well-wishers to stay at home as the country remains in lockdown.
A version of the song Smile, recorded by singer Michael Buble, was played at the funeral.
A bugler sounded The Last Post to end the service in St Mary's Church in Marston Moretaine, Captain Tom's home village. Churches across the country also rang their bells 100 times.
Capt Moore, who served in India, Burma and Sumatra during WW2, was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, and his family have said that once Covid-19 restrictions allow, his ashes will be interred in the county.
