Captain Tom Moore honoured in City of London’s first ‘virtual’ ceremony
Captain Tom Moore said it was a “great honour” to receive the Freedom of the City of London in a virtual ceremony.
The ancient tradition is believed to date back to 1237 and Tuesday’s ceremony was the first ever to be conducted by video-link.
Second World War veteran Captain Tom was nominated for the honour after raising almost £33 million for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday on April 30.
Huge congratulations to the 100-year-old Second World War veteran @captaintommoore who has today been awarded the Freedom of the City of London during its first ‘virtual’ ceremony, in recognition of his outstanding fundraising efforts for @NHSuk#TomMoorepic.twitter.com/NuhP8b6eBT
— City of London (@cityoflondon) May 12, 2020
He sat beside his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore at home in Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire for the ceremony, which was streamed on YouTube.
After reading aloud the declaration of a freeman Captain Tom was asked to give a “wave of the pen” to symbolically sign the document.
Captain Tom, who served with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, was told that previous freemen of the City of London include the Duke of Wellington.
Others honoured with the status include Edward Jenner, the man who discovered the vaccination against smallpox, founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale and Winston Churchill.
Captain Tom was granted the Freedom of the City of London after a special nomination by William Russell, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, and Catherine McGuinness, policy chair at the City of London Corporation.
Well deserved honor for @captaintommoore this morning, receiving the Freedom of the City of London – proof that it’s never too late to get something done! https://t.co/skwBVRq3wc
— Ambassador Johnson (@USAmbUK) May 12, 2020
The Lord Mayor said: “Not only did Captain Tom raise money in his mission, he also raised the spirits of people across the country.
“He showed us all the importance of community spirit and brought people together during this difficult time.
“Thankfully through the resilience, courage and hope of people like you Captain Tom, I am confident we will conquer this crisis like we have conquered others.
“So congratulations once again and I thoroughly look forward to welcoming you to the Mansion House to receive your freedom in person in the not so distant future.”
Captain Tom said: “Lord Mayor thank you very much for your very kind remarks. It’s an honour to speak to you.”
Captain Tom was applauded as the ceremony concluded, adding: “Thank you all very much.
“It’s been a great honour for me, thank you all very, very much, thank you.”
Dr Peter Kane, the Chamberlain of London, said Captain Tom had “done something quite extraordinary and by doing so he has stolen the hearts of millions of people in this country”.
Captain Tom will be presented with a framed certificate when he visits the City of London in person.
