Private Arthur Preston
|
|
Private 5764139 Arthur Benjamin Preston
Royal Norfolk Regiment
Died between 27th May and 1st June, 1940
Aged 38.
Son of Benjamin and Alice Preston, of Norwich. In the 1939 Register Benjamin and Alice were living at 85, Mousehold Avenue, Norwich. Benjamin was born in 1867 and Alice in 1872. Benjamin was a retired corporation carter.
Inscription - A loving smile a heart of gold the dearest son the world could hold.
Royal Norfolk Regiment
Died between 27th May and 1st June, 1940
Aged 38.
Son of Benjamin and Alice Preston, of Norwich. In the 1939 Register Benjamin and Alice were living at 85, Mousehold Avenue, Norwich. Benjamin was born in 1867 and Alice in 1872. Benjamin was a retired corporation carter.
Inscription - A loving smile a heart of gold the dearest son the world could hold.
|
|
Arthur Preston photographed whilst serving in India. Photograph courtesy of the Nichols family.
|
|
Below are more photographs relevant to Arthur
Above left is a photograph of Arthur when missing. On the right are Arthur's shooting medals which are now in the possession of the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum.
Below that is what we believe to be details from an exhumation list which states that Arthur sustained a serious head injury. Below that is Arthur's temporary grave at Le Paradis. There then follows two group photographs. The first is the Royal Norfolk Regiment at Britannia Barracks in Norwich in 1938. It is likely that this is the second battalion which was sent to France in 1939 and includes Arthur Preston. Below that is another group which is believed to be that of First Battalion of the Royal Norfolks at Amritsar in the Punjab. Arthur is second in from the right second row up. We also believe that the officer in front near the cups is Major J. Elwes. The photo is of the shooting team from either 1929 or 1930.. All photographs and service records are courtesy of Andrew Whyte and the family of Arthur Preston apart from those at the bottom of the page which are courtesy of Nick Smith. |
|
|
|
|
|
Bringing Arthur's Story Up To Date
|
On the left is Margaret O'Callaghan paying her respects and placing a Royal British Legion Cross of remembrance on the grave of Arthur Preston. On the right is Joy Smith having recited the exhortation over the graves of Raymond Pigg and Arthur Preston who were known as Pinky and Perky - Friends in life united in death, buried next to each other as our headstones in the centre photograph show.
|
|