A special commemorative bench was unveiled at Millbrook Station on 29 May by Captain Sir Tom Moore’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, and Eric Robinson MBE, president of the Royal British Legion Bedfordshire.
The bench is intended to not only recognise Captain Tom’s achievement in raising over £32 million for NHS Charities Together but to also commemorate the sacrifice of all those who lost their lives fighting in the First & Second World Wars and subsequent conflicts.
The bench has a particular focus on the often forgotten Burma (now Myanmar) campaign with an outline of the country and depicts Captain Tom from both in wartime and later life.
Part of Captain Tom’s wartime service included being a member of the Fourteenth Army in Myanmar.
Manufactured by Grantham-based Roll & Scroll Ltd, the bench was funded by the Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership (CRP), with a contribution from Marston Moreteyne parish council.
Stephen Sleight, Marston Vale CRP officer at Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, said it was a ‘great privilege’ to welcome Hannah Ingram-Moore to unveil the bench.
“Captain Tom was such an inspiration to the whole country, and I’m delighted there is a permanent reminder of him at a station he knew well,” said Stephen.
Hannah Ingram-Moore was ‘incredibly proud’ to reveal the bench and said:
“My father was so invested in local community and would be thrilled to hear the volunteers who uphold Millbrook Station are so passionate and dedicated in caring for the station and the travellers who pass through.
“I implore you to volunteer at Millbrook, where your support would be most welcome.”
Sleight credited his Marston Vale CRP colleague Andy Buckley for coming up with the bench idea. He also paid tribute to the Friends of Millbrook Station for their ‘dedicated voluntary work’ to improve the station’s appearance over the past decade.
The bench was the second phase in Marston Vale CRP’s celebration of Captain Tom. A special poem by Mick Child of Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity was published on a plaque last year at Millbrook station.
Captain Tom’s 100 laps around his garden and the borough’s community spirit during the pandemic was also previously celebrated in a mural at the Harpur Centre.
Read More: Captain Sir Tom Moore celebrated in new Harpur Centre mural
Captain Tom raised £32.8m for NHS Charities Together, a figure rising to £39.3m when including gift aid.
