Captain Sir Tom ‘delighted’ to be honorary colonel of Army training college

Captain Sir Tom Moore said it is “truly a great honour” to be made honorary colonel of an Army training college as he visited the military establishment as part of his new role.

The 100-year-old Second World War veteran told junior soldiers to take full advantage of the “outstanding” Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, as he was shown around the facility on Monday.

He was appointed honorary colonel for the college to mark his milestone birthday.

During his visit to the college on Monday, he said he was “absolutely speechless” to be made honorary colonel.

“It really is truly a great honour.”

Captain Sir Tom described the college as a “marvellous place” and said he did not know whether he would have been capable of going through the training.

“I never anticipated some time ago that I would get the opportunity or the privilege of coming here and I never knew that it’s such an outstanding operation,” he said.

“I’ve never seen so many opportunities for young people as there is here.”

“When I was conscripted, one of the things I did when I joined the Army, I looked round to see all the other people and thought ‘I’m going to be the best’.

“Without climbing over anyone’s shoulders, just quietly get on and do your best and be your best.”

Captain Sir Tom watched junior soldiers take part in various activities at the military training venue, which trains 16 and 17-year-olds for a wide variety of Army careers.

He waved and gave a thumbs up to assembled junior soldiers, who gave him a round of applause as he walked towards them from his vehicle.

As the audience were asked for questions, a member of civilian staff said: “We just want to say a big thank you from everyone for the inspiration.”

Captain Sir Tom replied: “It has been my pleasure.”

The veteran, who took part in the Battle of Ramree Island, as part of the Burma campaign, during the Second World War, watched a drill lesson, a personal development session and a demonstration on the high ropes.

Before he left the site, he was presented with a commemorative frame containing photos of the college and his visit and badges of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, in which he served, and the Army Foundation College.

He had earlier been given a colonel’s rank slide, which he wore on his tie during the visit.

Junior soldier Daniel Barker, 17, from Sheffield, described him as an “inspiration”.

He said: “He gave us some advice for our future, to understand how lucky we are because back in his day it was much different, he didn’t have the opportunities we have here at the college and to take full advantage of that.”

He was knighted by the Queen during a unique open-air ceremony at Windsor Castle earlier in July and said the knighthood was “something very special”.