Cometh the hour, cometh the man

[Finningley Boy]

Originally Posted by pr00ne

Delighted to see that he is to be honoured by an RAF flypast.

Good call decision makers.

Indeed!

FB

[Asturias56]

Although the Dept of Transport were all set to stop the Fly Past as "unnecessary"

[superplum]

Originally Posted by Asturias56

Although the Dept of Transport were all set to stop the Fly Past as "unnecessary"

I think that decision related to a "civilian" Spitfire.

[Asturias56]

still -shows the mind-set and imagination at work.....................

[NutLoose]

I thought the Spit one was still going ahead but doing a circuit over some Hospitals instead, see

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...-a9487251.html

Congrats to Captain Tom BTW

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...om/ar-BB13mBQE

[622]

Well, considering it took him a long time to do the journey, standing all the time and for a lot of money - This is the perfect thing to name!

[Cat Techie]

Originally Posted by MPN11

Great respect for what Capt Tom was doing, with his modest aspirations.

However, I try to curb my enthusiasm for an Honour. What he did was a 'good thing', but in normal times barely deserving of much more that a paragraph or two in the local papers.

The fantastic sum raised is, surely, just a manifestation of people jumping on the band-wagon, seeing an easy way to support the NHS etc. and assisted by massive Media coverage. In that context, the honour lies with all those who have donated, in some cases VERY generously.

I anticipate incoming.

I totally agree with your comments and I made a fair donation. He is a symbol and put effort into something that is not easy for a person of that age. I wish him happy birthday tomorrow, He will get the card, and hopefully Disco and Co have decent weather to do a flypast.

[Lantern10]

I'll raise a well deserved glass to him tonight. What a wonderful effort. Happy birthday Tom.

[Surplus]

It looks like they're going to have to repaint the train.
Happy Birthday, Colonel Tom Moore.

[Union Jack]

Originally Posted by Surplus

It looks like they're going to have to repaint the train.
Happy Birthday, Colonel Tom Moore.

Happy birthday indeed, and not one but two locomotives and no, not Thomas the Tank Engine....

Jack

[XV490]

I was glad to see the BBC run a piece about the Burma Campaign this morning. Captain Tom, of course, is among the few Burma Star holders still alive, and by all accounts got down and dirty amid the difficult conditions in theatre.

[unclenelli]

ITV are planning a 30-min documentary on 8th May (time TBC) on Captain Tom's War.


Captain Toms' Wiki page contains links at the bottom to view the music and JustGiving.

Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day

[Tankertrashnav]

He may not have got a knighthood (yet) but I see that Colonel Tom has added the Defence Medal to his now familiar group of three, including his Burma Star. He was wearing it on his lapel separately above his other medals today. I am wondering if somebody has worked out that his service entitled him to this medal and got him one, not a difficult task as they are unnamed, and can be picked up easily for about £10 - £12. Not sure what the one he is wearing on his right breast is, one of those unofficial ones that have proliferated in recent years, I guess. *

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...herts-52472132

(Scroll down to the picture of Tom with his birthday card from HM)

*Thanks for the info, Ex Ascoteer - a more prestigious award than the unofficial medal that I guessed it was

[ExAscoteer2]

His Defence medal was presented to him by the Colonel of the Yorkshire Regt.

The other medal is, apparently, the Yorkshire Regimental Medal - Hon Col Tom was a member of the Duke of Boots Regt which became the Yorkshire Regt.

[unclenelli]

After hearing he was listening in to the BBMF Air/Grd comms, from the Second Best Covers thread on Jet Blast of Chris Hadfield on ISS, I've had an ear-worm all day:

This is Ground Control to Colonel Tom
You've really made the grade......

[unclenelli]

The Medal Office noticed it was absent, so he got it awarded, he just hasn't had chance to get it mounted yet (his existing 3 are swing-mounted).

Anyone know of a mounting service that can get it done by next Friday (VE Day)???

[Tankertrashnav]

I have used these people for many years - they are totally reliable, and I am sure that in the circumstances they would put his medals to the top of the queue and get them back to him Special Delivery

https://www.worcmedals.com/Naval-GSM...Gulf-1909-1914

Incidentally you mention the fact that they are currently swing mounted, which is quite correct for medals of this period. I often see older groups which have been remounted court style and to me it just looks wrong, so I hope that doesn't happen to these, whoever does them

[megan]

Disappointed to see our national newspaper reporting "RAF Captain Tom Moore". Guess I should be happy they got his rank and name correct. Great to see how his efforts are being rewarded, an immense amount of donations. Bravo Zulu.

[XV490]

Originally Posted by megan

Disappointed to see our national newspaper reporting "RAF Captain Tom Moore". Guess I should be happy they got his rank and name correct. Great to see how his efforts are being rewarded, an immense amount of donations. Bravo Zulu.

Apropos of which I did wonder yesterday if topping off his cake with a 'Spitfire' was a brilliant idea. Full kudos to the BBMF for the flypast, but the man was an army officer. So I'm not surprised that an otherwise well meaning young hack gets it wrong.

[ExAscoteer2]

Apparently the Yorkshire Regimental Medal is awarded to the individual in the Yorkshire Regiment family who is considered to have made the greatest contribution in the last year.