Nassau – The Royal Bahamas Defence Force is deeply saddened by the sudden death of our former comrade, Petty Officer Leopold Kirby (Retired), who passed away on November 23, 2017.
Petty Officer Kirby, affectionately referred to as “Leo”, enlisted in the Defence Force along with 26 other men as members of Entry 5 on November 12, 1979. After completing initial training at the Police College, Thompson Boulevard, he was assigned as a cook onboard the patrol craft HMBS FLAMINGO.
His service was one of great historic significance to the Force. He was a crewmember aboard HMBS Flamingo on May 10, 1980, when that vessel was sunk by Cuban MiG jet fighters. Kirby was among the 15 survivors, who mourned the passing of four of their shipmates on that fateful day. He continued to serve as a cook onboard several other patrol craft and also in the galley at HMBS Coral Harbour.
Driven and ambitious, Petty Officer Kirby attended the then Industrial Training College and obtained certificates in Carpentry and Masonry. As a result, he was drafted to the Base Maintenance Department, where he expanded his skills and also specialized in Tile Laying and Basic Welding. Kirby assisted extensively with the construction and repairs to numerous buildings at the Defence Force Base, and he also affected repairs to several of the Government’s affordable home project led by Social Services back in the mid-1990s.
Petty Officer Leo Kirby retired from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on November 12, 2017 after giving his country 28 years of faithful services.
The Commander Defence Force, Commodore Tellis Bethel extends sincerest condolences to Leo Kirby’s widow, Rose, his mother and adopted mother Mena Wallace and Nita Lockhart, daughters Nadia Holstein and Divola Kirby, family and loved ones on behalf of his Executive Command Team, Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned, and Junior Marines of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
