Leigh Francis John COSTAIN O43376, joined Nirimba with me as part of the 22nd Intake in January 1967.

This morning I was informed by his wife Annette, and following a reasonably short battle with advanced cancer:

Brian, I am writing to let you know Leigh passed away at 10.30 last night. Our family sat with him until 12.30 this morning talking about his life. He is now at peace after the last couple of days.

Could you please pass this message on. Will let you know about funeral date etc as soon as possible.

Thank you so much

Annette


Leigh trained as an ATA and was also a great sportsman during that time. After training, Leigh was posted to Albatross to enhance his skills. At some stage he started his Pilots Course in fixed wing aircraft, including A4 Skyhawks. But, he eventually became a rotary specialist.



If I remember correctly, Leigh ended up being the senior Trainer and Test Pilot at Albatross until he retired.



Leigh saw active service in the First Gulf War, Piloting a Seahawk off HMAS Adelaide. But his best and worst experiences came during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Leigh was heavily involved in many rescues, with extreme risks, and in his later years came back to haunt him a bit.

He and Annette were regular attendees at our term reunions, as well as Birdie gatherings.

My sincere condolences to Annette, family, and friends. Leigh will be sadly missed by his MOBI mates.

RIP Leigh, rest your oars.

_________________
Brian Carney
R43371
Ex-WOMTP5
22nd Mobi Intake
Jan 67 - Jan 89
RANATE, Sydney, Swan, Creswell, Stalwart (FMU), Cerberus, Derwent, Nirimba, Parramatta, Nirimba, FHQ (FMMO).

Hi Brian,

Funeral will be on Wednesday 21st January at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Nowra commencing 1pm.

There will be an RSL Poppy Ceremony and medals to be worn.

There will be live streaming through Murphy Family Funerals, Nowra.

Burial will be at Navy section of old cemetery in Kinghorn Street, Nowra and Wake afterwards at Nowra Bowling Club.

Hope to see you there if possible.

Annette


For anyone wishing to pay tributes, go to the “Share Your Memory” section at the bottom of the page:

https://murphyfamilyfunerals.com.au/tri ... bute-start

_________________
Brian Carney
R43371
Ex-WOMTP5
22nd Mobi Intake
Jan 67 - Jan 89
RANATE, Sydney, Swan, Creswell, Stalwart (FMU), Cerberus, Derwent, Nirimba, Parramatta, Nirimba, FHQ (FMMO).

Thanks Brian, sounds like Leigh enjoyed the sort of exciting career that many of us would envy, I know I would...

I never met Leigh, but always sad to loose another MOBI, regardless of rank, or calling...

Rest on your rotor blades, Leigh, your journey is done... VALE: may you R.I.P

_________________

Rick Pengilly
WEBMASTER
Ex-CPOMTH3
R42630
13th MOBI Intake
July'62 to July'74
HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Melbourne - HMAS Cerberus - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Lonsdale - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Brisbane

I remember Leigh from Nirimba days. Another mobiwho in hi case turned into a “ high” achiever
RIP . Fly free

_________________
Peter Sneddon
R95971
Ex CPOMTH4
18th JR Intake
23rd MOBI Intake
Jan 67 to July 91
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Sydney, Perth, FMP-W, Stuart, Penguin/Ships Divers course, Stuart, Lonsdale, Melbourne, Kuttabul, Cerberus, Stuart, Swan, Nirimba/ Q course, Cerberus, CPSO-M

Knew Leigh very well, played a lot of footy with him.
So sad.
Vale Leigh.

_________________
Graeme 'Smiley' Rhodes
R94714
Ex-CPOMTP(D)5
Jan'65 Leeuwin Intake (10th) - Jan'66 Nirimba Intake (20th)
Jan'65 to Mar '88
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Stalwart, Samarai, Lae, Penguin, Curlew, Buccaneer, Navy Office, Barbette, Cairns, RANTTU (based in Port Moresby), Stirling, Bunbury.

Vale Leigh

Rest on your wings

condolences to all his family

_________________
Charlie (Chuckles) Britt JP TPI
Welfare Pensions Officer
R95712
Ex-LME(D) LSMTP2
17th Intake JR's, 23rd MOBI Intake .
Oct 66 - Nov 74
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Cerberus, Stalwart, Cerberus, Waterhen, Penguin, Carpentaria, Dolphin, Penguin, Sydney, Albatross, Leeuwin, Acute, Leeuwin, Cerberus, Stalwart, Waterhen, Attack, Leeuwin, DEE.