100-Year-Old British War Veteran Who Fought Against COVID-19 Passes Away

Fundraising Event Held Last Year to Support Medical Staff
Excluded from Vaccination Due to Pneumonia Symptoms and Risk of Complications
UK Government: "United Us in a Time of Crisis" Memorial

A photo of Moore holding the knighthood medal he received from Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle in London on July 17 last year. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] A British World War II veteran who raised funds with his frail body to help medical staff fighting on the front lines of COVID-19 prevention has ultimately passed away. After the news of his death was announced, the British government and citizens expressed their condolences.

Tom Moore (100), a World War II veteran who was recently knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, died on the 2nd (local time) at a hospital in Bedfordshire, central England.

Moore's daughter, Hannah, tweeted on the day, "In the last few hours before his passing, we shared laughter and tears with my father," adding, "He sensed the end was near and lay on the hospital bed surrounded by family, talking about his childhood memories."

After the news of Moore's death was announced, Queen Elizabeth II, who had bestowed the knighthood upon him, expressed her condolences. The Queen released an official statement saying, "We recognize the inspiration he provided to the entire country and others around the world," paying tribute to him.

On the 2nd, the flag was flown at half-mast at 10 Downing Street, the British Prime Minister's residence, in mourning of Tom Moore's death. / Photo by Twitter Capture

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also expressed his sorrow, calling him "a hero in the literal sense of the word," and said, "He fought for freedom during the dark days of World War II and united and encouraged all of us facing the deepest crisis since then." On that day, the Union Jack was flown at half-mast at 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's residence, in tribute to him.

Moore launched a fundraising campaign in April last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out across Europe including the UK, to support healthcare workers working for the UK's National Health Service (NHS).

At that time, he aimed to raise 10 million pounds (about 1.52 billion KRW) and challenged himself to walk 100 laps around his garden despite his frail body at the age of 100.

Moore's challenge deeply moved many people worldwide, and the fundraising far exceeded the initial goal of 10 million pounds, reaching 38.9 million pounds (about 59.4 billion KRW).

British World War II veteran Tom Moore, who completed 100 laps of his garden to raise donations for medical staff / Photo by Yonhap News

The UK Ministry of Defence held a small airshow on April 22 last year, Moore's 100th birthday, to express gratitude toward him. Several Spitfire fighter planes of the Royal Air Force, which fought against Nazi Germany during World War II, flew around Moore's home that day.

In July last year, the Queen personally knighted Moore. At the time, Moore said about receiving the knighthood, "It was truly an emotional day," adding, "It is not only a worthy reward but also something I received directly from the Queen. What more could I ask for?"

Meanwhile, Moore, who turned 100, belonged to a vulnerable group for COVID-19 and was prioritized for vaccination by the UK NHS. However, it was reported that he was excluded from vaccination due to concerns about complications because he usually had pneumonia symptoms.

Moore was hospitalized for treatment after pneumonia recurred at the end of last month and died on the morning of the 2nd. A test conducted on Moore at that time confirmed he was positive for COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.