and, as you can see, that is the dakota performing fly—past. and, as you can see, that is the dakota performing fly-past. and, john, that dakota performing fly-past. and, john. that is _ dakota performing fly-past. and, john, that is important _ dakota performing fly—past. and, john, that is important because that is part of the battle of britain memorial flight, which operates from lincolnshire. , memorial flight, which operates from lincolnshire-— lincolnshire. yes, absolutely, from raf coningsby- _ lincolnshire. yes, absolutely, from raf coningsby. you _ lincolnshire. yes, absolutely, from raf coningsby. you will— lincolnshire. yes, absolutely, from raf coningsby. you will remember| lincolnshire. yes, absolutely, from i raf coningsby. you will remember for captain sir tom's 100th birthday spitfire and a hurricane flew over. we are now about to hear... gun salute

the firing party completed their rounds and we can see the members of the family going in behind the coffin, following it into the crematorium. as we have been saying, just the eight of them. anna's family first, followed by lucy's family, as captain sir tom enters the chapel. of course with the

lockdown restrictions it is a small funeral, and the family have asked people to stay at home in order to protect the nhs, contribute to charities, maybe even his foundation if they wanted to. but they set up an online book of condolence, which has received thousands and thousands of comments. some incredibly heartfelt, and gives you an idea of exactly the reach, the effect, the inspiration that we saw from captain tom right around the world across the generations to so many different people in so many walks of life.

when you walk through the storm, hold your— when you walk through the storm, hold your head up high, and don't be

afraid _ hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of— hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the — hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark. by the end of the storm. _ afraid of the dark. by the end of the storm, there is a golden star. and the sweet silver song of a lark. # when _ and the sweet silver song of a lark. # when you — and the sweet silver song of a lark. # when you walk through a storm hold your head up high # and don't be afraid of the dark #. at the end of a storm # there is a golden sky # there is a golden sky # arid _ # there is a golden sky # and the sweet silver song of the lark # walk on lark— # walk on through tarr— # walk on through the lark # walk on throu-h the wind # walk on through the wind # walk on through the wind # walk— # walk on through the wind # walk on through the wind

# walk on through the rain # walk on through the rain # though your dreams be tossed and blown _ blown # walk on, walk brown — # walk on, walk on with hope in blown # walk on, walk on with hope in your heart _ heart # and you'll heart — # and you'll never walk alone # and you'll never walk alone # you — # and you'll never walk alone # you will_ # and you'll never walk alone # you will never walk alone # you will never walk alone # walk— # you will never walk alone # walk on, walk on # _ # walk on, walk on # with— # walk on, walk on # with hope in your heart # with hope in your heart # arid _ # with hope in your heart # and you'll never walk alone # and you'll never walk alone # you'li— # and you'll never walk alone # you'll never walk alone

# when you walk through a storm # when you walk through a storm # hold _ # when you walk through a storm # hold your head up high # hold your head up high # arid _ # hold your head up high # and don't be afraid of the dark # and don't be afraid of the dark # ai— # and don't be afraid of the dark # at the — # and don't be afraid of the dark # at the end of the storm # at the end of the storm # there _ # at the end of the storm # there is a golden sky # there is a golden sky # arid _ # there is a golden sky # and the sweet silver song of the lark walk— # and the sweet silver song of the lark walk on through the wind, walk on through— lark walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain # _ on through the rain # though your dreams be tossed and blown _ blown # walk on, walk

htowr — # walk on, walk on # _ # walk on, walk on # with— # walk on, walk on # with hope in your heart # with hope in your heart # arid _ # with hope in your heart # and you'll never walk alone # and you'll never walk alone # you'tt— # and you'll never walk alone # you'll never walk alone # . a happy man by edwin arlington

robinson. when these graven lines you see, traveller do not pity me, though i be a among the dead let no mournful word be said. daughters that i leave behind and their children all kind, near to them and to my wife i was happy all my life. my two daughters i married right and their children i rocked at night, death nor sorrow never brought because for one unhappy thought. now and with no need for two years, here they leave me full of years. leave me to my quiet rest in the region of the blessed. good afternoon. so lovely to see you here, and welcome to the celebration of captain sir tom moore's life. goodness me, what an

entrance. the song we have just listened to, you'll never walk alone, what a perfect start to the service, and to hear captain sir tom's voice is so lovely. tom, with the help of his grandson benji, chose the music for today. i would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the hard work and effort you have put into making today's service so special. thank you very much for sharing him with the world for the last year, and thank you so much for the honour of being part of today's service. i have invited you to a celebration, haven't i, and understandably that word must seem empty and hollow on a day like today. but hidden in the pain and sorrow you feel, there is undeniably so much to celebrate. you can celebrate the fact that tom has

been a part of your life, and though he is no longer with us you can celebrate that you were privileged and honoured to have known him. tom served in india and the burma campaign during the second world war and later became an instructor in armoured warfare. being ever adventurous, one of his lifelong passions was motorbikes and this apparently was a bit of a family pursuit, wasn't it? which he continued throughout his life. riding stopped but the pattern remained until the end. after the war ended he worked as managing director of a concrete company. he was an incredible engineer with an ever inquiring and curious mind, always looking to build bigger, better, faster. and maybe it was having daughters that tom was such a staunch believer in the ability of women to excel in the field of engineering if given the

opportunity, something the foundation is promoting. it was once said that a journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. a beautiful chinese proverb. captain tom's journey of 100 laps beautiful chinese proverb. captain tom'sjourney of 100 laps began beautiful chinese proverb. captain tom's journey of 100 laps began last spring with the aim of raising £1000 in the aid of nhs charities by his 100th birthday. who would have thought that by his birthday nearly £40 million, making him a guinness world record breaking fundraiser, with donations from 1.5 million supporters would be raised? quite incredible. this triggered the creation of the foundation in his name. he was so proud of the cornerstones of the foundation that he created, and he was so proud that the cornerstones are about tackling

the cornerstones are about tackling the causes of loneliness, education and inequality. it is quite incredible to think that 163 countries donated, that is nearly the whole world. as wonderful as we think our nhs is, people from other countries really are not going to be interested in our health so it seems obvious to me that they were really investing in captain tom and the values that he stood for. he was a proud british veteran and a gentleman. he lived in a multi—generational environment, not only would that have kept him young but also symbolises the importance of family to him. what sacrifices did he and his peers make in defence of ourfreedom? a man did he and his peers make in defence of our freedom? a man with a strong moral compass, a strong work ethic, a sense of pride and an indomitable spirit. he serves as an inspiration to us all to never give up and

remain strong, knowing that tomorrow will be a better day. but let's not also forget that he was just a little bit of a charmer, with a wonderful sense of humour and a delightfully boyish sense of mischief. when asked what he wanted in his dressing room for an interview with peers morgan, his lightning response was "for a bottle of coke, dairy milk chocolate and six blondes." 0ur of coke, dairy milk chocolate and six blondes." our very own tom bond. they don't make them like that any more. almost overnight and received many accolades and the love of people all over the world, recording a number one chart topping single, and he was appointed as honorary colonel of the army foundation college. 0n the 17th ofjuly 2020, he was personally knighted by the queen at windsor castle. i know that

tom was so proud of his military achievements and everything that has transpired in the last year. but i think that he would count among his greatest achievements becoming a dad and grandad. he was so proud of you all, and i'm very much looking forward to hearing your tributes shortly. you know, today is a day of memories. today we come together to remember and to honour a hard—working, charming, kind, playful and much loved gentleman. to his daughters, to his grandchildren, sons—in—law and family, he leaves behind him an enduring love. to all of those lucky enough to have known him, he leaves the comfort of true friendship. and when you are missing him, he leaves behind thejoy friendship. and when you are missing

him, he leaves behind the joy of catching glimpses of him in the gestures, expressions and later than today the laughter of lucy, hannah, tt, max, benji and georgia. the world is undoubtedly a much poorer place without him in it, but i know you will agree with me when i say that you are so much richer for having known and for having loved him. we are now going to have a little bit of a musical tribute. the white cliffs of dover performed by dame vera lynn. # there'll be bluebirds over # the white cliffs of dover # tomorrow # just you wait and see

# there'll be love and laughter # and peace ever after # tomorrow # when the world is free # the shepherd will tend his sheep # the valley will bloom again # and jimmy will go to sleep # in his own little room again # there'll be bluebirds over # the white cliffs of dover # tomorrow # just you wait and see

# there'll be bluebirds over # the white cliffs of dover # tomorrow # just you wait and see.# how absolutely lovely. i hope you enjoyed listening to that, and wonderful lyrics. very appropriate for today. wonderful lyrics. very appropriate fortoday. i wonderful lyrics. very appropriate for today. i would like to invite up lucy, if i may, and she's going to give her tribute to herfather.

daddy, you would always tell us "best _ daddy, you would always tell us "best foot forward", and true to your— "best foot forward", and true to your word — "best foot forward", and true to your word that is what you did last year. _ your word that is what you did last year, raising a fortune for the nhs and walking your way into the nation's — and walking your way into the nation's hearts. in some ways we wondered — nation's hearts. in some ways we wondered who would have thought it, yet, knowing you as we did, your motivation — yet, knowing you as we did, your motivation and inspiration was no surprise — motivation and inspiration was no surprise i— motivation and inspiration was no surprise. i remember how in cambridgeshire you became a master

of the _ cambridgeshire you became a master of the land _ cambridgeshire you became a master of the land. you loved it, and we spent _ of the land. you loved it, and we spent hours _ of the land. you loved it, and we spent hours together working machinery, planting fruit trees, growing — machinery, planting fruit trees, growing veg and mowing the grass. you taught— growing veg and mowing the grass. you taught us to be practical, and your gifts— you taught us to be practical, and your gifts were too. we have a treasure — your gifts were too. we have a treasure chest of tools because of you _ treasure chest of tools because of you oh _ treasure chest of tools because of you. oh my— treasure chest of tools because of you. on my wedding day, you were a steadyihg _ you. on my wedding day, you were a steadying influence. ifeltjittery and asked you to tell me a calming story~ _ and asked you to tell me a calming story you — and asked you to tell me a calming story. you squeezed my hand tied and talked _ story. you squeezed my hand tied and talked to— story. you squeezed my hand tied and talked to me _ story. you squeezed my hand tied and talked to me about concrete pipes. and talked to me about concrete pipes. arid there — talked to me about concrete pipes. and there is a bittersweet day remembered with tom and max. we visited _ remembered with tom and max. we visited the _ remembered with tom and max. we visited the tank museum, saw the tank you _ visited the tank museum, saw the tank you fought in and you told us stories— tank you fought in and you told us stories of— tank you fought in and you told us stories of how it had been for you. but it— stories of how it had been for you. but it was— stories of how it had been for you. but it was the same day pamela, our mother, _ but it was the same day pamela, our mother, died. we often talked about milestohes_ mother, died. we often talked about

milestones in your life, and we laughed — milestones in your life, and we laughed about the possibility of you reaching _ laughed about the possibility of you reaching 100 years. you said it is 'ust reaching 100 years. you said it is just a _ reaching 100 years. you said it is just a number. "i don't feel any different" _ just a number. "i don't feel any different." and right in the end you ignored _ different." and right in the end you ignored the — different." and right in the end you ignored the number and different." and right in the end you ignored the numberand kept different." and right in the end you ignored the number and kept on going. _ ignored the number and kept on going, urging us to all do the same with your— going, urging us to all do the same with your mantra "tomorrow will be a -ood with your mantra "tomorrow will be a good day"~ _ with your mantra "tomorrow will be a good day". you have always influenced me with your strength, your energy, your drive to get out of bed _ your energy, your drive to get out of bed with — your energy, your drive to get out of bed with a spring in your step and a _ of bed with a spring in your step and a purpose in mind. i know you will be _ and a purpose in mind. i know you will be watching is chuckling, saying — will be watching is chuckling, saying "don't be too sad, as something has to get you in the end" _ something has to get you in the end." daddy, i something has to get you in the end." daddy, lam so something has to get you in the end." daddy, i am so proud of you. what _ end." daddy, i am so proud of you. what you _ end." daddy, i am so proud of you. what you achieved, your whole life, and especially in the last year. you

may and especially in the last year. you nray be _ and especially in the last year. you may be gone, but your message and your spirit— may be gone, but your message and your spirit lives on. thank you so very, very much, lucy. a lovely, beautiful heartfelt tribute. tt is now going to read a poem by edwin mark entitled oh the wild wild moors.

_by —— by edwin waugh. -- by edwin waugh. i would like to dedicate this _ -- by edwin waugh. i would like to dedicate this to _ -- by edwin waugh. i would like to dedicate this to my _ -- by edwin waugh. i would like to dedicate this to my grandad - -- by edwin waugh. i would like to dedicate this to my grandad who i -- by edwin waugh. i would like to i dedicate this to my grandad who grew up dedicate this to my grandad who grew up and _ dedicate this to my grandad who grew up and loved — dedicate this to my grandad who grew up and loved the _ dedicate this to my grandad who grew up and loved the yorkshire _ dedicate this to my grandad who grew up and loved the yorkshire dales. - my heart's away in the lonely hills, where i would gladly be _ 0n the rolling ridge| of blackstone edge, where the wild wind whistles free! there oft in careless youth i roved, when summer days were fine; - and the meanest flower of the heathery waste . delights this heart of mine! oh, the lonely moors, the breezy moors, - and the stormy hills i so free; oh, the wild, wild moors; the wild, wild moors, - the sweet wild moors for me. i fain would stroll on lofty knowl, and rooley moor again; - 0r wildly stray one long bright day in turvin's bonny glen! _ the thought of wardle's breezy height— fills all my heart with glee, and the distant view- of the hills so blue - bring tears into my e'e!

oh, the lonely moors, the breezy moors, - the stormy hills so free; oh, the wild, wild moors; the wild, wild moors, - the sweet wild moors for me. 0h, blessed sleep, . that brings in dreams my native hills to me; the heathery wilds, the rushing streams, - where once i wandered free! 'tis a glimpse of life's sweet morning light, i a bright angelic ray, _ that steals into the dusky night, and fades with waking day! oh, the lonely moors, the breezy moors, - the stormy hills so free; oh, the wild, wild moors; the wild, wild moors, - the sweet wild moors for me. thank you very, very much. what an exquisite poem you have chosen. beautifully red, you are obviously a natural orator. we are now going to take a moment to listen to the

lovely voice of alfie boe. i vow to thee my country. # i vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above, # entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love # the love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,

# that lays upon the altar the dearest and the best # the love that never falters, the love that pays the price, # the love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice

congratulations. well done, sir. there _ congratulations. well done, sir. there will— congratulations. well done, sir. there will for— congratulations. well done, sir. there will for life. _ congratulations. well done, sir. there will for life. i— congratulations. well done, sir. there will for life. i think- congratulations. well done, sir. there will for life. i think this i there will for life. i think this phrase typifies your attitude to life every day. the ability to get out of bed every morning with an invested purpose is something we all look to achieve. if there is a lesson i have learned from living with you these past 13 years, it is the power of positivity and kindness. i truly do not believe i would be the person i am today without your sound guidance. 0ur chats mid afternoon, they were only meant to last a few minutes, quickly turned into hour—long conversations delving into so many thought—provoking avenues. these are memories that i will never forget, and ones i'm incredibly grateful to have. i can't imagine how many pieces of my sport equipment would have stayed broken without your ever

trusting superglue. quite often enough to cricket matches, there would be some issue with my helmet or bat that you never cease to offer assistance in fixing. i suppose the tables turned in the latter years where often it would be george or me fixing something on your phone. the motivation you gave me for every sports fixture, knowing that however many wickets i took often had a £1 cash award at the end. this is certainly something i took with me into every game. coming home soaked into every game. coming home soaked in mud or sweating from the sun, the first words i ever heard were" did you win and how did you play?" if it hadn't gone to plan there was only a negative word, only how to improve next time. i think in many ways those with the moments that will stay with me the most. the five words we both dreaded the most every night were, you are the last one up. in turn meaning we had to put the alarm on. whoever it was often had

the gentle role of the eyes, partly because we were the last one up and partly because we had the responsibility of the alarm. growing up responsibility of the alarm. growing up with you every day, the smell of porridge as i came downstairs was assigned to know everything was ok. a few minutes later seeing a plate slide down the side of the chair at the perfect height for the dogs to lick the remains was something that fills the morning with more than a bit ofjoy. in recent weeks since your passing, i have sat in the room where i work, the window overlooks onto our garden where i can still see a seven—year—old version of myself sitting on your lap with my hands on a steering wheel trying to drive. but whilst of course i cannot touch the pedals, you brought experience to life making me feel as if i could drive anywhere and do anything. looking to where i am now, there is a piece of you in everything i do, whether it is the motivation for sport or even in my

school life. for example, taking