A HERO – that’s how 25-year-old Lance Bombardier Wayne Cosentino, who has died in an off-duty road accident in Canada, will always be remembered.
The caring and dedicated soldier, from Totternhoe, had been on a well-deserved night out away from his base after completing a six-week training course in the Alberta area.
Parents Rosalyn and Michael, of Church Road, were told that he was on foot at the time of the accident in the Medicine Hat area, which involved a civilian truck.
The early-morning crash happened on Saturday, July 28, and his parents were informed in person by Army representatives.
Now the couple, who have praised the “fantastic” continuing support from the Army, are waiting to hear when their son will be flown home to RAF Brize Norton.
A military funeral will then be held in this area but no date had yet been set as we went to press.
The popular soldier had been serving with Z Battery, 5th Regiment Royal Artillery.
Wayne had attended Dunstable’s Brewers Hill Middle School and Northfields Upper School, Dunstable College and Coventry University.
And he also worked at Argos in Dunstable for about a year.
He fulfilled a dream when he joined the Army at 21, and his service included a six-month tour in Afghanistan.
Rosalyn said he was “very patriotic” and proud to serve his country.
She said: “His grandad was in the Army. Wayne just loved anything to do with the Army, he had it in him.
“He was very brave – he was a hero.”
Wayne was the couple’s only child and they have been touched by countless messages of support.
Michael said: “It has been a massive help to us.” He spoke of his son’s determination and loyalty.
And he added: “He had a big heart, and he absolutely adored children.”
Rosalyn reflected: “Wayne had a really warm heart. He was really good fun, and he had a lot of friends who loved him.
“He lived life to the full. He made a lot of people happy. He was generous, and he would give you anything and do anything for anyone. He put everyone before himself. He sounds too good to be true – but it is true.”
> See the August 1 edition of the Dunstable Gazette for the full story.