Captain Sir Tom Moore’s legacy deserves more than a Trafalgar Square statue – Jayne Dowle

I’d argue that erecting a statue here would miss the point. Even in his 100th year, Captain Sir Tom was a vibrant, engaging man. Why consign him to the dustier realms of history?

Apart from Nelson, who we all know, Trafalgar Square is full of half-forgotten generals, admirals and the monarchs Charles I and James II.

Proving that statue controversy is no new thing, the Fourth Plinth has been vacant since 1840. It was meant to hold a grand depiction of William IV astride a horse that was never installed. For some years now it’s been decorated by temporary artworks.

The determination and resilience personified by Captain Tom was not a metropolitan thing; in its very essence, it showed how ordinary unassuming people have pulled together nationally during this most difficult of times.

What we need is a permanent national touchstone, not another figure for the pigeons to perch on in the middle of an over-rated traffic island.

The last time I was in London – exactly a year ago next week – we walked up from Westminster to the West End. It struck me how much of an anachronism Trafalgar Square has become. It’s popular with no-one really, except tourists taking selfies. And the pigeons, of course.

If we are to have a statue – or a number of statues – perhaps one in his home town of Keighley and another in his adopted town of Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire, where Captain Tom lived with his daughter Hannah, her husband and two grandchildren – then at least let us give the idea some purpose.

Open up the commissioning process to a competition, backed by the Government and a national body such as Arts Council England, and aim it at young professional artists under 30. So many have been cut adrift by the pandemic, their work curtailed and future prospects uncertain.

Such a scheme would show that their contribution to British cultural life is valid and valued.

Memo to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden then, who has been silent on the Captain Tom statue subject so far. To be fair, he’s probably afraid of putting his foot into it; political debate about statues is highly sensitive, as the toppling of Edward Colston in Bristol illustrated last year.

However, here is a way to turn the narrative and make a positive statement. Mr Dowden should look into the matter forthwith. For all his advanced years, Captain Tom was a forward-thinker. He didn’t sit ruminating on the past, he tried to make the future a little brighter for everyone. It would be a fitting monument to his life if young people could be given an opportunity.

And this is where imagination and enterprise could really come to the fore. I was pleased to see the suggestion from a reader of The Yorkshire Post to set up a scholarship fund in the name of Captain Tom.

They suggest that a medical school bursary to help young members of the armed forces gain qualifications so they can continue to work in the NHS that Captain Tom revered would be an excellent living memorial.

Who could argue with this? And where better to set this in motion than in his home county of Yorkshire, which is fortunate to have outstanding teaching hospitals in Leeds and Sheffield?

Donations from the public would no doubt be forthcoming, but here is the perfect opportunity for a British philanthropist to come forward and put their money where their fine words are. In fact, why not have a series of nominated scholarships across the country, which would help and benefit young people to further their medical study and training? And perhaps not confine the programme entirely to those serving in the armed forces.

The pandemic has proven the value and expertise of our international reputation both for medical research and pioneering treatments which save lives.

As we seek ways to move forward, one thing is certain – our National Health Service, which Captain Tom honoured with such grace, deserves the very best and the brightest of talent.

And we will all benefit from such excellence in the end, far more than the pigeons of Trafalgar Square ever would from a questionable new perch.

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