Leigh Mitchelmore

Leigh was an RAF hero who was tragically killed in an air crash in Afghanistan.

Flight Lieutenant Leigh Mitchelmore was one of 14 British servicemen who died when an RAF Nimrod reconnaissance plane came down during a Nato mission on September 2.

Leigh, a Nimrod weapon systems operator, was one of 12 RAF personnel from 120 Squadron, based at Kinloss in Scotland, who lost their lives in the tragedy, together with a soldier and a Royal Marine.

The incident, thought to have been due to a technical fault, was the biggest single loss of British troops since the "war on terror" began.
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A family man, Leigh, 28, grew up in Christchurch and was a former pupil of Highcliffe School.

He was a member of the Christchurch-based Seagulls Swimming Club and was named its male swimmer of the year in 1995.

He was also a member of Barton-on Sea Golf Club and was made captain of the club's junior team as a youngster.

Leigh met his wife, Claire, six years ago in Bournemouth, and the couple had two young children, Fay and Hayden.

Speaking after his death from their home in Elgin, 25-year-old Claire said Leigh had been "a fantastic husband and soulmate".

"He was an amazing man who always made me smile," she said.

"Every day we had together I will cherish. He was beautiful, kind-hearted and full of life and vitality and filled the room with his presence."

She added: "I will never let his memory die as he was an exceptional person, wonderful husband and a daddy in a million."

An RAF spokesman described him as "a young and highly enthusiastic Nimrod weapon system operator with a very bright future".

He added: "He had a natural ability and personality that perfectly suited him to the Nimrod role. His tall and striking presence mixed with his affable manner ensured that he was well received wherever he was."

Leigh will be sorely missed by all who knew him.