Leigh Mitchelmore

1978 - 2006

Location	Elgin
Age	28 years
Date of Death	9/2006
Visitors	1,776 since 15/11/2006
Creator	Claire

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.

New TributeTributes to Leigh

There have been 13 tributes left for Leigh.

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Hey bruv, 1st time i've managed to write anything. So much to say, yet can't find the words. Where has the time gone since september? Miss you soo much, thinking of you every single day, tears running down my face even now, the kids are so grown up, you would be so proud! love you soooo much, you will never ever be out of my thoughts, always Mx x x x x

Mark Mitchelmore October 9, 2007, 12:00 am

TO CLAIRE, FAYE,HAYDEN, RICHARD, DEE, MARK AND HANNAH ARE THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME. LEIGH WAS AN AMAZING MAN AND WE WERE VERY PRIVELAGED TO KNOW HIM. THROUGH FAYE AND HAYDEN HIS LOVE STILL SHINES ON.
LOVE PHIL,TRACY,MIKE,KIERAN,ADAM,ETHAN AND MADISON

Tracy Wetherell (Friend) September 4, 2007, 12:00 am

LOVELY - LOVELY - LEIGH. Thinking of you today as we do everyday. Love ya Vi and Baz

Vi (Friend) September 3, 2007, 12:00 am

Always in our thoughts

Not a day goes by when you aren't thought about Leigh, we all miss you greatly. On this anniversary our thoughts go out to dick, dee, mark, hannah, claire, faye and hayden.

Love All the Whites

Hayley White (Friend) September 3, 2007, 12:00 am

Missed, never forgotten.

Leigh, thinking of you and still missing you, especially today. Love to Claire, Faye and Hayden.

You had wisdom and maturity far beyond your years and will never be forgotten.

Love Pete and family x

Peter Mitchelmore (Cousin) June 13, 2007, 12:00 am

Thinking of you

To Claire,Faye & Hayden,
Our thoughts & love are with you today & always.
Paul & Jan.xxx

Paul Amp Jan Mitchelmore (Uncle & Aunt) June 13, 2007, 12:00 am

Condolences from all the M*CH*MOREs

On behalf of all the MITCHELMOREs of the world, I offer you my sincerest sympathies on your loss.

Mike Mitchelmore (Coordinator, M*CH*MORE One Name Study) April 8, 2007, 12:00 am

I do not know Claire nor, as far as I am aware, do I know any of Leigh's other relatives. But as an American Mitchelmore who was a USAF officer at RAF Brize Norton in the 1960s, I wish to offer my condolences to the family of a man whom I am sure I would be proud to claim as a relative.

Charles Mitchelmore (Cousin) April 7, 2007, 12:00 am

You are sorely missed

I didn't know you or your family but served in the RAF during the first Gulf War.

I just wanted to pass on my thoughts and prayers to your beautiful family.

You were a hero as like all the serving armed forces personnel who dont get the gratitude they deserve. Lets hope they all come home safely soon.

RIP xx

Gill Mcgoldrick (passer by) April 3, 2007, 12:00 am

To Claire,Faye and Hayden Its true what people are saying there are 14 new stars in the sky but very special stars and they were great heroes and will never be forgotten. love Phil,Tracy,Mike,Kieran,Adam,Ethan and Madison

Tracy Wetherell (Friend) December 30, 2006, 12:00 am

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