Further to the life of Captain Sir Tom Moore knighted by Her Majesty for his services by raising thousands for charity: he follows another captain commemorated in Watford who lived in the middle ages leading a rebellion against the poll tax imposed by England’s Norman masters.

He was the self-styled captain Wat Tyler who, together with another commoner John Ferrour, saved the life of a 14-year-old boy (from the mob) who later became king of England and was the first to swear his coronation oath in English which had been banned in the church, in the courts and amongst royalty since 1066. Henry IV’s reign led directly to the Tudors and England’s greatest monarch Elizabeth I.

She encouraged her people to trade and the UK became a rich trading nation bequeathing to the world the English language which anybody and everybody can speak in the tradition of Captain Sir Tom Moore who also brought people together by his example of selfless service.

Ron Pearse

Nascot Street, Watford