Hero soldier dies on his birthday

CSM Leigh died in hospital on his birthday

A soldier died in Cyprus just days after being told he had won the Military Cross (MC).

Company Sergeant Major Darren Leigh, of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, collapsed in his Cyprus home last Thursday, the Army said on Tuesday.

The soldier, from Salford, Greater Manchester, died in hospital on Saturday on his 37th birthday.

CSM Leigh won the MC for his actions during rioting in Basra last August when he and 30 men faced a mob.

He was the first person from the regiment to be awarded the MC since 1967.

A spokesman for the Queens Lancashire Regiment said the small force protected a police station from being overrun despite rifle fire and missile and grenade attacks.

He said: "One grenade caused multiple injuries to his legs but he continued to lead his men and conducted a successful baton charge that saved the situation and dispersed the hostile crowd."

His death is a huge loss to the Queen's Lancashires Lt Col Mendonca

He was informed he had won the MC by the commanding officer of the unit, Lieutenant Colonel Jorge Mendonca, on Thursday afternoon, the day before the awards were officially announced.

Hours later CSM Leigh collapsed and was taken to hospital, where he died on his birthday.

Speaking from the unit barracks in Dhekelia, Cyprus, Lt Col Mendonca said: "This is a shocking and unbelievably ill-timed tragedy that has robbed us of a much-loved regimental personality and a very brave and accomplished soldier.

"Our thoughts are very much with his wife Marie and his daughter Limara at this terrible time.

"His death is a huge loss to the Queen's Lancashires."