RAF Lyneham base in mourning
Gazette and Herald
www.gazetteandherald.co.uk
26th March 2009
By Scott McPherson
Serviceman at RAF Lyneham have paid tribute to senior aircraftsman Barry Leadbetter who was killed in a motorbike accident near Chippenham last Friday.

Mr Leadbetter, 28, died after his black Suzuki 600 motorbike collided with a Vauxhall Combi van on the B4069 at Christian Malford. Medics fought for almost an hour to save Mr Leadbetter, but he had sustained fatal head and chest injuries. The crash caused severe congestion as the road was closed for several hours and drivers were diverted via Lyneham and Calne. Mr Leadbetter was originally from Widnes in Cheshire, but had been stationed at RAF Lyneham for several years.

Colleague Warrant Officer Jeremy Griffiths, who is the flight sergeant of D Flight on 24/30 Engineering Squadron where Mr Leadbetter worked, paid tribute to his friend. He said: “We are all very distressed about the loss of Barry – he was held in high regard by management and all the flight members alike. It was Barry’s likeable character that endeared him to all who met him – he had a sharp wit and a wicked smile.

“I can honestly say that every time I had a conversation with Barry, I always left with a smile and a warm friendly feeling. This was regardless of whether I was telling him he hadn’t done something he should have, or if it was just a social chat. Barry had a way of making you feel life was for living, and this makes his untimely passing all the more difficult. As his colleagues and friends, our thoughts are with his family. We will miss Barry ‘Margo’ Leadbetter – a true character, liked by all, not a bad bone in his body, happy go lucky.”

Almost 250 people have contributed to a Facebook tribute site which has been set up in Mr Leadbetter’s memory. On it his cousin Viki Leadbetter said: “We are all devastated and can’t believe this has happened – he was a lovely guy.”

Another cousin Sharon Feeney said: “We are still in deep shock and absolutely devastated, can’t believe you’re gone. You were only teasing me the other week and winding me up by encouraging my lad Joseph to join the forces when he’s older – and loving every minute of me getting more and more annoyed. You really knew how to pull everyone’s strings to wind them up, didn’t you?

“We will all miss you.”

The parish council at Christian Malford is campaigning to lower the 60mph speed restriction on the stretch of road where Mr Leadbetter died. In the past few years three people have died at the same spot.

Tributes pour in
Tributes have poured in for RAF Lyneham aircraftsman Barry Leadbetter who died when his motorbike collided with a van in Christian Malford last Friday. His friends at RAF Lyneham along with his family have set up an online tribute group in his memory which has already attracted almost 250 people to join.

Colleague Steve Baker said: "I am so shocked and saddened, words can never express the loss of such a top bloke - it really is such a cruel cruel world. It was both an honour to work with you and know you. My thoughts are with your family and loved ones."

Another friend from RAF Lyneham Gavin Dunn said: "Mate, you were part of my RAF Family since you first arrived at Lyneham, words fail me to put across how much you will be missed and how your memory will be cherished. My thoughts and wishes are with your family."

Friend Nicola Thomas said: "What a top lad Barry was, not a single bad word to say about him. "Had a wicked, dry sense of humour and a cheeky, cheesy grin that I can still see now. So shocked to hear this tragic news."