Leon Theodore Rowe was born in Auburn, NSW, on 21st May 1948 and completed his Secondary Education at Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield, NSW. Before entering the Army as a National Servicemen he was a Theological student. Leon graduated from OTU into RAEME. His initial appointment was as SO3 (Captain’s position) RAEME Training. Not liking that job he volunteered to take on a posting as a Platoon Commander at 2 RTB, Puckapunyal. Shortly after arriving he met Deena, a Nurse at 3 Camp Hospital. In Melbourne they had three children Kelly, Patrick and Kate, before moving to Mt Gambier and later Adelaide. The next move was to Rockhampton in Queensland then Ipswich-Booval-Goodna parishes before retiring in 2010.
Leon’s son Patrick served tours in Afghanistan and Timor-Leste before resigning from the Army. In his later years Leon lived at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane. He was not in good health, but made it to the 40th Reunion in Sydney in 2013 where he took part in the Church Service at St Matthews. Sadly, Leon passed away (in Brisbane) on 15 November 2015 after a long period of ill health, he was 67 years of age. Leon leaves behind his three children and four grandchildren. A Service of Thanksgiving followed by Interment of Ashes was be held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Brisbane Street, Ipswich on Thursday, 3rd. December.