The extraordinary life of Captain Sir Tom Moore in pictures

Guard of Honour for Captain Sir Tom Moore
A guard of honour as Captain Tom Moore completes 100 laps of his garden. Credit: PA

When Captain Sir Tom Moore came to the nation's attention, no one could have imagined quite how far this Second World War veteran would come in the space of a few short months.

A mission to walk a hundred laps of his garden at his Bedfordshire home turned into a giant leap for mankind: a record breaking £32 million pounds raised for the NHS, a number one single and a knighthood.

Captain Tom, who has died aged 100 after contracting Covid, as he became known to all of us, was just what the doctor ordered to lift the spirits of a nation in the middle of the coronavirus crisis.

The centenarian has captured the hearts of millions becoming a national treasure and inspiring an army of charity fundraisers.

Here's his remarkable life in pictures:

A young Captain Sir Tom Moore, when he served in India and Burma. Credit: IWM Duxford/PA

Captain Sir Tom started his career in the army at he start of the Second World War serving in the Duke of Wellington's regiment and the Royal Armoured Corps.

Captain Sir Tom's challenge to raise money for the NHS began in April Credit: PA

He started his challenged to walk a hundred laps of his garden in his 100th year to raise £1,000 for the NHS on 6th April.

War veteran Captain Tom Moore, with (left to right) grandson Benji, daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and granddaughter Georgia, at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, after he achieved his goal of 100 laps of his garden. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire/PA Images

Captain Tom has two daughters, one of which he lives with and four grandchildren.

He completed 100 laps on 16th April flanked by 1st Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment having raised more than £15 million.

He didn't stop there. He went on to top the singles chart in the recording of "You'll Never Walk Alone", a collaboration with West End star Michael Ball and The NHS Voices of Care Choir.

His fundraising total hit £30 million by the time of his £100 birthday at the end of that month. The record breaking veteran got a RAF spitfire flypast to say thank you. He also received a sea of cards from around the world.

Captain Sir Tom Moore’s 100th birthday cards Credit: IWM Duxford/PA

Just before his birthday he won a Pride of Britain Award and was appointed the first Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

Captain Sir Tom Moore visited the Army Foundation College in Harrogate Credit: PA Images

Finally he was knighted by the Queen at Windsor Castle. He said he was "absolutely overawed" and had "an absolutely magnificent day."