Hero war veteran Captain Tom Moore has been appointed an honorary colonel to celebrate his 100th birthday.
The NHS star, who has raised more than £29 million for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden has been appointed the honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
He has also been awarded a Defence Medal, after experts realised he was owed one from decades ago, the Mirror reports.
It will now be added to the 1939-1945 Star, Burma Star and War Medal he wore on his walk, which also earned him a Pride of Britain Award.
Chief of the General Staff General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith made the appointment, which has been approved by the Queen, in order to inspire the next generation of soldiers.
Captain Tom set out to raise £1,000 for the NHS and his fundraising captured the nation's heart during the coronavirus lockdown.
He was informed of the promotion in a letter presented by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Miller, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.
The veteran, who was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, served with the 8th Battalion The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, which is now part of The Yorkshire Regiment.
So he could not be more delighted to be made honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate – calling it “one of the proudest moments of my life”.
He added: “The Yorkshire Regiment is one of the – if not the – greatest regiments, and I am overwhelmed. It’s absolutely super.”
His centenary is being marked by two military flypasts, while a GWR intercity express train has been named in his honour and his local postbox had been repainted in the colours of the NHS.
Well-wishers have also sent him more than 125,000 birthday cards, which are being stored at his grandson's secondary school.
Captain Tom has also become the oldest person to land a number one single with his cover of You'll Never Walk Alone, recorded alongside Michael Ball and the NHS Voices of Care Choir.
Last week, Carol Vorderman presented Captain Tom with a Pride of Britain Award from the Daily Mirror, in partnership with TSB, after he became the person to raise the most money in an individual charity walk.
He cannot hold the award in person yet but an image has been drawn to show him with it.
He told the Mirror: “I’ve had lots of fabulous things but this is number one.”
As part of his award, Tom was also shown a video montage of celebrities saluting him on Good Morning Britain.
Now the BBC has called for people to send in photos of them saluting, to create a special birthday mosaic.
Another award is a title belt, customised with his birthday and the NHS logo, from World Wrestling Entertainment.
Ed Parker of forces charity Walking With The Wounded said: “Captain Tom is an example to us all.”
But Tom doesn’t plan on taking the day off to celebrate.
He said: “I hope to continue for quite a lot longer. The longer I can keep going the more people will give to the fund and that all helps the amazing people working in the NHS.”
As honorary colonel, he will be invited to speak to junior soldiers at Harrogate, ensuring his incredible example is passed on to the next generation of soldiers.
The centenarian, who is now entitled to use the rank of colonel, was also presented with a replacement Second World War Defence Medal ahead of next week's VE Day celebrations.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "Captain Tom is simply inspirational and I am absolutely delighted the Army has honoured him in such a fitting manner.
"He not only embodies the spirit of our incredible veteran community, but the resolve of this nation.
"During these unprecedented times, he has reminded us all hardship is easier endured when we place the needs of others above our own, and approach everything with a smile.
"Like millions of others, I put my hand in my pocket for his incredible fundraising feat that will do such good for the NHS working on the front line of this battle right now.
"Ahead of VE Day 75, it is fitting that we are once again looking to the Second World War generation to show us the way."
General Carleton-Smith said: "His mature wisdom, no-nonsense attitude and humour in adversity make him an inspirational role model to generations young and old.
"I am delighted he has accepted the honorary colonelcy of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, where our 16 and 17-year-olds are trained and educated to be the future leaders of the Army."
