SUDDEN DEATH OF SOLDIER WHO HELPED BOMB FAMILIES
Sudden death of soldier who helped bomb families
A SOLDIER who was commended for his role in helping the Omagh bomb families has died suddenly on his 37th birthday.
Warrant Officer Darren Leigh, a company sergeant major of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR), collapsed in Cyprus earlier this month after suffering a fatal brain haemorrhage. He was put on a life support machine but died in hospital 24 hours later.
In August 1998, WO Leigh's regiment was based at Lisanelly Barracks in Omagh.
His unit was called into service following the Market Street explosion that claimed the lives of 29 men, women and children and unborn twins.
The bodies of those who died in the explosion were transferred to a temporary mortuary set up within the confines of Lisanelly Barracks and Darren Leigh was among a number of soldiers dispatched to deal with the families of those killed.
He was later promoted to sergeant and awarded a GOC's (General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland) commendation for his services to the victims' families.
His death came just hours after he was awarded the Military Cross for bravery during his regiment's recent tour of duty in Iraq. WO Leigh was given the award after leading members of the 1st Battalion of the QLR which is currently at the centre of ill treatment allegations against Iraqi prisoners on a hazardous mission in Basra in August of last year. He was the first member of the regiment to be honoured with the Military Cross since 1967.
A native of Salford near Manchester, WO Leigh is survived by his wife Maria and a daughter Limara, 10.
A SOLDIER who was commended for his role in helping the Omagh bomb families has died suddenly on his 37th birthday.
Warrant Officer Darren Leigh, a company sergeant major of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment (QLR), collapsed in Cyprus earlier this month after suffering a fatal brain haemorrhage. He was put on a life support machine but died in hospital 24 hours later.
In August 1998, WO Leigh's regiment was based at Lisanelly Barracks in Omagh.
His unit was called into service following the Market Street explosion that claimed the lives of 29 men, women and children and unborn twins.
The bodies of those who died in the explosion were transferred to a temporary mortuary set up within the confines of Lisanelly Barracks and Darren Leigh was among a number of soldiers dispatched to deal with the families of those killed.
He was later promoted to sergeant and awarded a GOC's (General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland) commendation for his services to the victims' families.
His death came just hours after he was awarded the Military Cross for bravery during his regiment's recent tour of duty in Iraq. WO Leigh was given the award after leading members of the 1st Battalion of the QLR which is currently at the centre of ill treatment allegations against Iraqi prisoners on a hazardous mission in Basra in August of last year. He was the first member of the regiment to be honoured with the Military Cross since 1967.
A native of Salford near Manchester, WO Leigh is survived by his wife Maria and a daughter Limara, 10.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1659
Published Date: 06-May-04
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