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What did Captain Sir Thomas Moore hold Guinness World Records for? Famed British veteran dies at 100

Moore became a national hero in England after he completed 100 laps of an 82-foot walk to raise money for the National Health Service in Britain. He raised 32.8 million pounds, or $40 million

Captain Sir Thomas Moore, popularly known as Captain Tom, a British Army veteran, known for raising money for charity in the run-up to his 100th birthday during the COVID-19 pandemic, died aged 100. His family announced his death on his Twitter account on Tuesday, February 2. Moore, as per reports, had tested positive for the coronavirus last month. On January 31, his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore announced on Twitter that he was taken to a hospital because he needed help breathing.

In a statement, his daughters Hannah and Lucy Teixeira said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear father, Capt Sir Tom Moore. 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.”

The further said, “The last year of our father’s life was nothing short of remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he’d only ever dreamed of. Whilst he’d been in so many hearts for just a short time, he was an incredible father and grandfather, and he will stay alive in our hearts forever.”

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They added, “The care our father received from the NHS and carers over the last few weeks and years of his life has been extraordinary. They have been unfalteringly professional, kind, and compassionate and have given us many more years with him than we ever would have imagined.”

A decorated British Army veteran who served in India and Burma, now known as Myanmar, in World War II, Moore became a national hero in England after he completed 100 laps of an 82-foot walk on the brick patio next to his garden in Marston Moretaine, to raise money for the National Health Service in Britain. He raised 32.8 million pounds, or $40 million, for the N.H.S. through an online charity service and drew praise from people around the world. 

Reportedly, even Prince William, who contributed an undisclosed sum to the campaign, called him a “one-man fund-raising machine.” His fundraising efforts also led to him being knighted by the Queen, Elizabeth II, on July 17, 2020.

His world records

One of his records, of course, was the money he raised. He broke the record for “the most money raised by charity walk (individual)”, something that had remained unbroken for 40 years, as per Guinness. It is all the more astounding considering that Moore’s original aim was to raise £1000 ($1,272). 

He also recorded a hit single, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ that hit No. 1 on the U.K. charts. In the process, he became the holder of the Guinness World Record for “the oldest person to achieve a U.K. No. 1 track”, which was previously held by Welsh singer Tom Jones.

"I feel very honored to receive recognition from Guinness World Records. My charity walk has raised more money than I could have possibly imagined and I am so thankful to those who have donated money and bought the single so we could achieve these records together and raise money for our incredible NHS during these difficult times. These really are Guinness World Records titles for all of us," Moore told Guinness at the time.  

Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief at Guinness World Records said, "Captain Tom singlehandedly did more to boost our nation's spirits than anyone else during the last year of lockdowns. Not only did he make a meaningful -- and of course record-breaking -- contribution to the NHS's efforts to combat COVID-19, but he came to symbolize and embody the pluck and determination needed to face a crisis like this. That he did so at the age of 100 years old is simply remarkable. He was an inspiration -- a true hero of the first order -- and it was an honor to be able to celebrate his achievements on a global scale."

Following his death, the official Twitter account of the British Royal Family said, “The Queen is sending a private message of condolence to the family of Captain Sir Tom Moore. 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.”

Born in Keighley, a village in Yorkshire, to a family of builders, Moore studied to be a civil engineer. In 1940, he was enlisted in the army and assigned to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. Soon, he was deployed to India, and then to Burma. After his service in the army, Moore returned to England. As per the New York Times, he “built a comfortable life as the manager of a concrete company”.