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Published 11:22 IST, April 30th 2020

UK's Captain Tom overwhelmed by army 'promotion'

Captain Tom Moore, the UK war veteran who raised more than 29 million pounds for the National Health Service, says he's "absolutely, totally overwhelmed" by being appointed as an honorary colonel on the eve of his 100th birthday.

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Captain Tom Moore, the UK war veteran who raised more than 29 million pounds for the National Health Service, says he's "absolutely, totally overwhelmed" by being appointed as an honorary colonel on the eve of his 100th birthday.

Moore started walking laps in his garden as part of a humble fundraiser for the NHS, hoping to raise 1,000 pounds by his 100th birthday, but surprised himself by generating millions of pounds.

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In honour of his achievement, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment visited Moore at his home in Bedfordshire on Wednesday to congratulate him with his upcoming birthday and to inform him of his new rank as honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College.

He also presented the veteran with a replacement Second World War Defence Medal ahead of next week's VE Day celebrations and a Yorkshire Regiment medal.

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As his fundraising efforts hit the headlines, the Ministry of Defence's Medal Office realised that the veteran was missing a medal that he should have received at end of WW2 - the Defence Medal 1939-1945.

The veteran served with the 8th Battalion The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, which is now part of The Yorkshire Regiment.

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11:22 IST, April 30th 2020