Online petition launched for Captain Sir Tom Moore to receive a military state funeral

Sir Winston Churchill was the last non-monarch to receive a UK state funeral

A petition has been launched to give Captain Sir Tom Moore a military state funeral. "Sir Tom Moore did so much for the NHS with his fundraising he deserves this recognition," says the Change.org petition. "It's the right thing to do," says one commenter. "This lovely man deserves this and much more, he was everyone's grandpa in the UK," adds another. "Lets give him all the respect and dignity he so deserves." State funerals are normally only held for monarchs and very notable figures Sir Winston Churchill was the last person to receive a state funeral in the United Kingdom, back in January 1965. Other non-monarch to have received state funerals include Horatio Nelson, Lord Palmerston, Charles Darwin and William Gladstone. Captain Sir Tom Moore died on Tuesday. He had recently been treated for pneumonia and Covid-19. Moore rose to fame during the first national lockdown when he raised over £30 million for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday. He became Captain Sir Tom Moore when he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in July 2020.

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— Captain Tom Moore (@captaintommoore) February 2, 2021

Tributes quickly started pouring in, with countless public figures hailing his inspirational actions throughout his 100-year life. Gary Lineker said he led an "extraordinary life." https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1356636966750715905 Piers Morgan thanked him for his courageous efforts in World War II. https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/1356635183781404676 Labour leader Keir Starmer described him as a "beacon of hope for millions." https://twitter.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1356638212001845248?s=20 Both English national teams in football and cricket paid their respects. https://twitter.com/England/status/1356637380954980356 https://twitter.com/englandcricket/status/1356639630469308418 The NHS' official account thanked him for supporting the institution in a time of need. https://twitter.com/nhsuk/status/1356637300768276481?s=21 Susanna Reid said she was heartbroken for his family. https://twitter.com/susannareid100/status/1356636021325254656 London Mayor said he is a "true hero, in every sense of the word, and will be mourned by millions." https://twitter.com/SadiqKhan/status/1356640634451468297?s=20 Liverpool Football Club's official account hailed "an inspiration and a true hero," adding: "You'll Never Walk Alone." https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1356641616191193089