Vice chair of Batley Royal British Legion shares her memories of Captain Tom

Wendy Storey, 73, is the daughter of the former Mayor of Batley, Harold Hall.

Harold was the Mayor of Batley in 1967 and served with Captain Tom Moore during World War II in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.

Harold grew up in a children’s home in Wakefield. He worked on a farm before enrolling in the army in Pontefract and completed his training in Halifax.

He met Tom in 1940 and served as his Sergeant Major during the Dukes’ tour of Burma.

Harold was an original and lifelong member of the Batley Royal British Legion, organised Remembrance services and was a Parade Marshall. He is also credited with saving Batley Train Station from closure in the 1960s.

Retired air steward and music teacher Wendy, has followed n her father’s footsteps is now the vice chair of the Batley RBL and the chair person of the Batley History Group.

In 1947 Captain Tom began to organise annual reunions for the regiment in Leeds. Harold attended the annual meetings until he fell ill and passed away in 2002.

Wendy attended some of the meetings on her father’s behalf and was dubbed one of the ‘Dukes’ Daughters.’

“When Tom was the only one left, the reunions stopped but we have always kept in touch with him and his daughter Hannah.

“The meet ups were fantastic. My dad never really spoke about his time in the war and back then, there wasn’t a lot of support for veterans.

“There was a real sense of comradery. my dad would get up to tell stories and jokes and have the chance to relive those days with friends,” said Wendy.

Captain Tom rose to fame after raising £33million for NHS charities in the lead up to his 100th birthday.

Wendy will be attending Tom’s rescheduled birthday party once lockdown restrictions are lifted.

“Tom is such a wonderful, humble man. He’s someone that never complains and is always asking about others.

“He’s always had a twinkle in his eye and is so proud of Yorkshire and all its folk.”