By Tom Cotterill
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Tributes have been paid to two ‘bright young’ Royal Navy engineers who were killed in a horror crash close to their military base.
Leading Air Engineering Technicians (LAET) Callum ‘Gilly’ Gilbert, 23, and Daniel ‘Coxy’ Cox, 24, died in the smash on the A3083 near Culdrose, in Helston, Cornwall on December 7.
The young sailors both served with 820 Naval Air Squadron and were based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose where they fixed helicopters.
Callum’s devastated family described him as a ‘truly remarkable, cheerful, kind caring, thoughtful, talented and loving young man’ who would ‘lighten any room with his smile’, with friends saying he had a ‘heart of gold’.
While Daniel’s loved ones hailed him as ‘an outstanding son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew and cousin who was devoted to his family’ who was ‘taken from us far too soon’.
Leading Air Engineering Technician Daniel ‘Coxy’ Cox (pictured), 24, died in the smash on the A3083 near Culdrose on December 7
Petty officer Lee O’Donnell groped a junior sailor’s leg before telling her he wanted to ‘bend her over and split her open like a can of beans’
News of their deaths also sent shockwaves through the close-knit naval community of Cornwall.
Captain Stuart Irwin, Culdrose’s commanding officer, said: ‘We are all deeply saddened by the deaths of two of our people. First and foremost, my heartfelt condolences go to the families and loved ones who have been affected by this tragic event.
‘These were two bright young aircraft engineers who had already achieved so much and served with distinction.
‘At 820 Naval Air Squadron, across RNAS Culdrose, and in the wider community here in west Cornwall – we are all coming to terms with their loss.’
Callum, of Helston, and Daniel, from Chichester, in West Sussex, had both recently completed a promotion course to become leading hands earlier this year.
As leading air engineers, they were involved in maintaining and repairing the navy’s fleet of Merlin Mk2 helicopters – which defend Britain’s two huge aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales from the sky.
Warrant Officer Steven Hughes, the senior maintenance rating on 820 Naval Air Squadron, said their loss had devastated the entire unit.
He said: ‘We are a close team. These are people that all share so much. We don’t just work together – we deploy together, we eat together, we share a room together and we see the world together.’
Paying tribute to LAET Gilbert, he added: ‘It’s the grin I remember. He had good manners too. That goes a long way. He had the ability to cheer everyone up with a look. Even on a cold night, coming off the deck of Queen Elizabeth, he always had a twinkle in his eye.’
LAET Ethan Fahy, who had been pals with LAET Gilbert for three years, also paid tribute to Callum and said: ‘He was a lovely, lovely guy. He had a heart of gold. He’d always do anything for you.’
LAET Devann Solomon added: ‘Gilly was always so happy. Even just walking past him, he’d make you smile.’
Also killed in the tragic crash was Leading Air Engineering Technicians (LAET) Callum ‘Gilly’ Gilbert, 23, of Helston, Cornwall
Around 250 families attended RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset to meet squadrons deployed across Europe as they touched down
While LAET Sam Edgerton said: ‘He was loyal to his friends and the people he worked with. We used to go out and do things around Cornwall.
‘He used to do a bit of surfing and he spent a lot of time in the gym. He was trying to convert me to play golf. He was just a nice, pleasant guy.’
WO Hughes praised Daniel for his commitment to his work, saying: ‘He loved his family and he loved his work. He was so enthusiastic. That’s my lasting memory of him.
‘Every morning he’d be in my office asking: “what time are we doing rounds?” and I’d think: I haven’t even had a cup of tea yet and he wants to get out and start work.’
LAET Tom Bunt said Daniel was passionate about mechanics and cars. ‘I’ve never known a bloke who could strip an engine like him. He could take it apart and he knew where every nut and bolt went,’ he said.
‘He loved cars and was always working on them. He’d spent 18 months designing and developing a spoiler from scratch, but he never got to fit it. That’s what gets me, he never had the chance to fit it.’
LAET Devann Solomon added: ‘Coxy was really lovely, always smiling, professional and friendly. He was always talking about his family and used to do school runs for his little sisters. It was a pleasure to work with him.’
And LAET Sam Edgerton said: ‘When I first met Coxy he was confident without having to say anything; I assumed he was ahead of me by years.
‘He was naturally gifted at engineering and was always forthcoming with helping us out. You rely on each other a lot and the loss of what Coxy used to bring is felt heavily.’
A close friend of Daniel’s for four years, LAET Adam Walker said: ‘Coxy was the most selfless and caring person I have met in my life; he always put family and friends first.
‘The way he approached life with positive energy and humour, I believe everyone who knew him will carry that through. He will always be loved and missed.’
In a tribute released today, LAET Gilbert’s family said: ‘Callum was a dearly loved son, grandson, nephew, brother to Megan and partner to Ellie.
‘As a family, we will all miss him deeply and no words come close to explain our grief of losing him. We have so many fond memories which we will now hold onto closely.
‘Callum was a truly remarkable, cheerful, kind, caring, thoughtful, talented and loving young man. He had so much heart and would lighten any room with his smile, his presence and sense of humour. We shall all miss him enormously and shall never ever forget him.
‘We will all love and miss you forever Callum – you’re one in a million, sleep tightly.’
Both sailors had been based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, in Cornwall (pictured)
Daniel studied at Bishop Tufnell, Felpham Community College, Chichester College and Shoreham Technical College.
He was a lifeguard at Butlins and Arun Leisure Centre, in Felpham before he signed on to join the navy.
He passed out of basic training at HMS Raleigh in 2019 and was subsequently based at HMS Sultan and HMS Collingwood, near Portsmouth, in Hampshire.
Paying tribute to him, his family said: ‘Dan was an outstanding son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew and cousin who was devoted to his family.
‘Over his years living in the Felpham, Middleton and Chichester areas we have all been exceptionally proud of the endless talents he displayed, his many achievements and positive attitude to life.
‘He was a talented musician, keen outdoorsman, swimmer and cliff-jumper, a qualified engineer and avid car enthusiast.
‘He had a ‘can do’ attitude to all physical and technical challenges, trying his utmost and always achieving.
‘All levels of the local scouting association were hugely instrumental in his outdoor, sporting and hiking achievements.
‘He particularly loved water sports and mountain biking. Having completed his bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. Sadly, he was only the residential section away from completing his gold.
‘Like many local students with an affinity for the sea and swimming, he was employed as a part-time lifeguard at Butlin’s and Arun Leisure Centre.
The pair of sailors worked on Merlin Mk 2 helicopters, which are the eyes and ears of aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. Pictured is a Merlin landing on HMS Queen Elizabeth
‘He then worked briefly for PMA as a driver before finally joining the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.
‘He graduated from HMS Raleigh in 2019 and subsequently HMS Sultan and HMS Collingwood.
‘His wide circle of amazing, young friends are all shocked at this news and much suffering his loss.
‘Our special thanks must go out to the Royal Navy for their unbounded support and care given to our family at this traumatic time.
‘Like his, our lives have been shattered and will never be the same again.
‘Dan was a truly special multi-talented young man, taken from us far too soon, both loved and deeply missed by so many.’
The collision involved a black Ford Fiesta and a grey BMW just after 9.10pm on Wednesday, December 7.
Medical treatment was given by a number of people at the scene, including members of the public and the emergency services.
However, despite valiant efforts, both of the young sailors were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the BMW sustained a suspected broken wrist and was taken to hospital.
A fundraiser has since been set up in memory of the two sailors. It has raised almost £8,000 to support their families.
An inquest into their deaths is expected to be completed next year.
Those with information about the crash are urged to contact Devon and Cornwall Police on 101, quoting 755 of 07 December or via the force’s website.
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
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