"He was a true Yorkshireman who just got on with it" - Yorkshire tributes paid to Captain Sir Tom Moore ahead of his funeral tomorrow

He was a son of Yorkshire, and tomorrow a town and city which were the backdrop to Captain Sir Tom Moore’s childhood will pay tribute to him on the day of his funeral.

In Keighley, where Sir Tom was born and grew up, the town’s mayor Peter Corkindale will be joined by one of West Yorkshire’s Deputy Lord Lieutenants, David Pearson, to lay a wreath in his memory.

Coun Corkindale said: “When I met him he was very modest, a true Yorkshireman who just got on with it.

“He was very proud of coming from Keighley. The town has a tradition of doing something extraordinary, we’re a town able to carry through adversity and still smile.”

In Bradford, 100 bells will be rung from the city’s cathedral, and the bells of the clock tower will play You’ll Never Walk Alone, which Sir Tom covered with singer Michael Ball to achieve a number one hit.

Flags on civic buildings across Bradford will fly at half-mast and buildings will be lit in red, white, and blue to honour Captain Sir Tom.

Lord Mayor of Bradford Doreen Lee said: “I am extremely proud of Captain Sir Tom. Yorkshire grit is what he had.

“I would like to ask all the people of Bradford just to stop and think tomorrow about Captain Sir Tom and all the others who have died. People will be thinking about the whole pandemic and how far we have come in a year."

Debbie Harding, area manager for the Royal British Legion in Yorkshire, said: “Captain Sir Tom will be remembered as a shining beacon of hope in what was a difficult year for all. His achievements during his military service in the Second World War and his more recent accomplishments, raising millions for the NHS and establishing the Captain Tom Moore Foundation, means that his legacy will live on and help many generations to come.”

Very Revd Jerry Lepine, Dean of Bradford, said: “On Saturday we will particularly remember Captain Tom, and his family. We will be ringing our bell 100 times in his memory, at 6pm, one toll for each year of his life, to mark his great work in raising money for NHS charities, and lifting the spirits of the nation in these difficult times. This will also be a chance for everyone to remember all those who are grieving, at this time, or in physical or mental ill-health, and to pray for them."

Bradford Council is supporting a fundraising campaign to install a bronze statue in the district. The life size statue called ‘The Walk of Hope’ has been designed and commissioned by Tony Clarke and Keith Sharratt.

The two Yorkshire artists are now trying to raise £60,000 to cover the costs of the statue and it is hoped that it will eventually be installed in his home town of Keighley as a tribute to his extraordinary life and huge fundraising achievement.

Captain Sir Tom's private funeral will take place in Bedfordshire tomorrow and be attended by immediate family only.