LONDON – “I said I was old” will be the headstone epitaph of Captain Sir Tom Moore, the British veteran who made headlines around the world after raising millions for the UK health service during the coronavirus pandemic .
Moore, whose funeral took place on Saturday, chose the words before he died at the age of 100 on February 2, in a hospital in England after a positive test for Covid-19.
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s parliament and the White House, who said he “inspired millions in his life and actions”, paid tribute to the World War II veteran with news of his death earlier this month .
Dressed in an elegant blazer and tie and displaying his World War II medals, Moore impressed the British arrested last year as he walked up and down the garden of his home in Marston Moretaine, a small village about 50 miles east. north London to raise money for the National Health Service.
Initially aiming to raise just 1,000 pounds ($ 1,400), he would raise almost 33 million ($ 46 million).
With mischievous humor and a determination of steel, he raised public spirits and was hailed as a national hero. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in July.
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Moore’s funeral, which he played a significant role in planning, was held at the Bedford Crematorium near his home.
Following Britain’s Covid-19 restrictions, only eight members of her immediate family attended the funeral, her two daughters Hannah Ingram-Moore and Lucy Teixeira, four grandchildren and their sons-in-law – all wearing face masks.
Adorned with a union flag, his coffin was carried by soldiers during World War II The C-47 Dakota plane performed an honorary flyover.
Reflecting his mood, Moore’s epitaph will be: “I said I was old”, a reference to the famous epitaph of British comedian Spike Milligan: “I said I was sick”. Moore was a big fan, said his family.
They also supported a global initiative to plant millions of trees, so that their legacy could live.
Raised in the county of Yorkshire, in the north of the United Kingdom, Moore served in India, Burma and Sumatra during the war.
After his prowess in the garden was praised, he recorded a number one pop song and wrote a book.
“The last year of our father’s life was remarkable. He was rejuvenated and experienced things he always dreamed of,” said his daughters after his death.
Reuters contributed to this report.
