Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Captain Tom

267 replies

Parker231 · 02/02/2021 16:07

Sad news just announced - he has died today.

OP posts:
MercyBooth · 02/02/2021 17:25

Agree with that @truthisalie

truthisalie · 02/02/2021 17:25

Rockpooler, maybe he didn't want to be vaccinated or it wasn't suitable for him.

Disclosure · 02/02/2021 17:25

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Puddington · 02/02/2021 17:26

@Rockpooler

I'm really sad he didn't get vaccinated in December (like my family members in their 80s did). Surely the eldest were a priority?
He couldn't be vaccinated as he already had pneumonia at the time.
Chocolino · 02/02/2021 17:26

This made me so sad. He lifted all our spirits during this crap time. I'm so pissed off that he died of bastard Coronavirus.

I think he should have a heroes send-off, social distancing permitted. Full gun salute and all the pomp. He was a national hero.

God bless you Sir Tom. Sleep tight. A true gentleman, one of the last of them.

XXXXX

IndiaMay · 02/02/2021 17:26

@lifeispassingby of course. And I have family abroad I havent been able to see which is upsetting. I do also have family far away who I did go and see during various lockdown loosening last year and I drove and stayed at a hotel or did a very long day round trip etc. My post was aimed at the people moaning that it wasnt fair captain tom had seen his family because they hadnt seen their father for months/years/etc. If it them enough they have to whine about a dying 100 year old war hero they can pull there finger out and get in a car tbh

Puddington · 02/02/2021 17:26

@Disclosure

Yes, why wasn't Captain Tom offered a vaccination in December - he should have been at the front of the list after everyhing he has done for this country.
He was unable to be vaccinated as he already had pneumonia in December.
Abraxan · 02/02/2021 17:28

@Rockpooler

I'm really sad he didn't get vaccinated in December (like my family members in their 80s did). Surely the eldest were a priority?
He couldn't be vaccinated at the time called due to medical treatment he was receiving.
Viviennemary · 02/02/2021 17:29

That's really sad. But he won't be forgotten and was a real inspiration.

UnityUnited · 02/02/2021 17:31

People can’t seem to grasp that he lived in the same household as one of his daughters and her family. That’s why they were able to see him.

ChasingRainbows19 · 02/02/2021 17:31

He was in Barbados from December to January and then had pneumonia so couldn’t then be vaccinated. Haha been in the country I’m sure he would of been done very early in the roll out.

FirstladyKirkman · 02/02/2021 17:31

I have just read a post saying this was a "bereavement thread".....??!! Really??? Bereavement???

No, its a thread to discuss the passing of an extremely well liked member of the public (who the vast majority have never met) who did an extraordinary thing during an unprecedented time. Bereavement? Jesus!

Chambored · 02/02/2021 17:31

@HandsFaceSpaceHopper

I think it's because he brought people together, we got behind him and cheered him, only for him to pass away with covid, after everything he did for the NHS, it seems such a cruel irony.

Especially as he caught covid IN hospital.

Oh no, is that the case @HandsFaceSpaceHopper?
grapewine · 02/02/2021 17:34

@FirstladyKirkman

I have just read a post saying this was a "bereavement thread".....??!! Really??? Bereavement???

No, its a thread to discuss the passing of an extremely well liked member of the public (who the vast majority have never met) who did an extraordinary thing during an unprecedented time. Bereavement? Jesus!

Agree. It's a little much.
Clavinova · 02/02/2021 17:37

Calmandmeasured1
Such sad news but what a wonderful legacy he left behind. A truly inspirational character and, yes, it does seem a cruel irony for him to die from Covid after all he did for the NHS during the pandemic.

Very well put Calmandmeasured1.

truthisalie · 02/02/2021 17:39

Haha been in the country I’m sure he would of been done very early in the roll out

My neighbour has some underlying health issues and cannot have the vaccine. Not everyone is suitable for it.

I8toys · 02/02/2021 17:40

I hate this hysterical faux grieving for someone we don't know personally. Calling for statues etc. I feel sad at his passing but he was a 100 years old and seemed to have lived a fabulous life.

rooarsome · 02/02/2021 17:40

@UnityUnited

People can’t seem to grasp that he lived in the same household as one of his daughters and her family. That’s why they were able to see him.
Regardless, in the trust where I work it is still only 1 family member to be with an EOL patient, whether they reside together or not. It's different across the board and I can understand why people would be upset by this.
CouldBeOuting · 02/02/2021 17:40

you want to see your father, then see him.

No! I’m not prepared to risk his health. I’ve been following the rules and will continue to do so.

I have to work in close contact with children with no masks so I WILL NOT mix with people I don’t have to and that includes my daughter and ALL the people I don’t actually live with.

oakleaffy · 02/02/2021 17:41

@stairway

He didn’t catch in hospital, he went in with it. I won’t mention where I think he could have caught it as some people won’t be able to handle it. I like his generation and it’s always sad when an old war hero goes of which many have gone recently.
Soon there will be no more WW2 Veterans left. Harry Patch was the last WW1 veteran.

Many of us Worldwide will have had relatives who Served in these World Wars..They went in as boys in some cases.

Youthful faces gazing out of sepia photographs.

They endured.

CleansUpPenguinPoo · 02/02/2021 17:42

A great man who brightened lockdown. RIP Captain Tom, condolences to your loved ones.

MusicalTrifleMonkey · 02/02/2021 17:42

To those complaining on this thread

I lost my grandmother end of last year in hospital. We couldn’t visit. She died 2 weeks before my DS, her first great grandson who she was really crazy about meeting, was born. It was awful to lose her and so sad that we weren’t with her. I’m still heartbroken.

I can still be sad about the loss of Captain Tom. And I am sad. £32million is amazing.

CouldBeOuting · 02/02/2021 17:42

@Disclosure

Yes, why wasn't Captain Tom offered a vaccination in December - he should have been at the front of the list after everyhing he has done for this country.
He was in Barbados at the time that my in laws received their vaccinations....
UnityUnited · 02/02/2021 17:42

It’s not Captain Tom’s family who make the rules about EOL protocols in different trusts so why the anger towards them?

RichardMarxisinnocent · 02/02/2021 17:45

[quote IndiaMay]@lifeispassingby of course. And I have family abroad I havent been able to see which is upsetting. I do also have family far away who I did go and see during various lockdown loosening last year and I drove and stayed at a hotel or did a very long day round trip etc. My post was aimed at the people moaning that it wasnt fair captain tom had seen his family because they hadnt seen their father for months/years/etc. If it them enough they have to whine about a dying 100 year old war hero they can pull there finger out and get in a car tbh[/quote]
I have family far from where I live too. I didn’t see my dad last year. He died suddenly in November. Having someone die at a time when you can't do many of the things you'd usually do to help with the grief is awful enough already without being told I should have pulled my finger out and got in a car (that I don't even own). People will have reasons for not having been able to visit family. I'm glad you were able to, but please don't imply those who can't, somehow can't be bothered.