'He will be very hard to replace': Tributes flow for beloved veteran
A devoted veteran who made 256 birthday calls each year to check on fellow servicemen has left an irreplaceable legacy in Townsville's military community.
A doyen of Townsville’s Veteran community Leon Jeffery who cared deeply about the welfare of other veterans has died.
The veteran has been remembered as a dedicated, thoughtful and caring member of Townsville’s community.
Over the last decade, Leon had been the National Serviceman’s Association of Townsville and District wellbeing officer and the Poppy Padre for the Townsville RSL.
Born in La Trobe, Tasmania in 1936, Leon completed his National Service from August to November in 1955 before enlisting in the army and training at the School of Signals.
Serving nine years in the army, Leon had a variety for roles including Signal Corps, communications at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne and the 1st Air Supply Signal Unit in Sydney.
He saw active service in Malaysia from 1961-63 with the 208 Commonwealth Signals Squadron and discharged in May 1964.
Post service, he worked first as a vending machine serviceman before moving into sales and eventually becoming sales manager for Elexrolux in Adelaide and Townsville.
He married Jan in 1993 and had three children, three step children, 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Townsville Nationals Serviceman’s Association President Neville Hines said Leon was a very sincere and dedicated person.
“He joined our branch in 2011 and 2013 become the welfare officer, and he’s going to be very, very hard to replace because he is so dedicated.
“Leon used to ring every member, we’ve got 256, members at the moment, every year on their birthday.
“He used to check up on who was in hospital and tell the (regular) meeting so we knew where our members were if they’re in hospital, right up until the point where he become classified as legally blind.
“He used to visit the hospital regularly to see anybody in there. He was always going crook, because people wouldn’t tell him when they were sick, because he was a very caring person and wanted to look after them all.
“He’d come to the meetings. He’d always have a trivia joke to tell us. He’d say the Ode (of Remembrance) every meeting before we started. We’d remember every person that died in the previous month at the meeting, and he might talk about them here.
“We’re going to have a difficult problem to find someone with the same attitude.
“I’m hoping someone will step forward and want to take on the position. Because people really, they’re all between 75 and 92 years old, and they really look forward to that phone call on their birthday. It’s a cheerful time in their day, and Leon’s going to be missed having his voice over the phone,” he said.
Townsville RSL president Colin Mosch said Leon was a long-term member.
“But more importantly, he did that the Poppy Padre services for us. That is when a veteran passes away, the poppy services is done at their funeral. It’s an invitation for veterans and family to lay a poppy on their casket. It’s acknowledgment of their service. It’s like one final farewell as an ex-serviceman,” he said.
“I’ve saw Leon do it in person. I don’t know if anyone could replicate his style. He is exceptional.
“What we do here at the RSL is about generations guiding the next generation. Everything that myself and my board do here now is inspired by examples that were set by older generations and Leon certainly set a great example with how he conducted himself and his passion for welfare and for veterans,” the president said.
A service for Leon Vincent George Jeffery will be held at Morley’s this Tuesday, November 25 at 9.45am at the Lakes Chapel.
Originally published as 'He will be very hard to replace': Tributes flow for beloved veteran
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