Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Plot 894 William Arthur Preston (1872-1938) William was born in 1872 in Berkhamsted to Henry and Emily (née Wright) Preston. He attended Berkhamsted Board School and was clearly a keen scholar – in August 1885 it was reported he had not missed one school day in three years. William became a labourer and married Annie Davis in early 1897. Harry was born in 1898 followed by Thomas (1900), Alice (1901), Annie L (1904), William J (1904), Ellen F (1906) and Ephraim A (1910). Between at least 1901-1911 they lived at 5, Red Lion Yard in 4 rooms, including the kitchen. William was a labourer in a timber yard. In 1914 William began work at Berkhamsted Golf Club as a groundsman and continued to work there until his death. In 1914 Annie gave birth to Stanley Francis who sadly died aged just four in 1918. He is buried in this cemetery. By 1915 the family had managed to escape Red Lion Yard for 30, Victoria Road. In 1921 William was a “Greensman” at the golf club. At home were Thomas, a butcher’s assistant; Alice, a “daily domestic”; William a goods porter at Button & Pike Ltd, wholesale grocers in Lower King’s Road; Annie who was out of work; Ellen who was working as a ladies’ tailoring assistant for Corby, Palmer and Stewart in Lower King’s Road and Ephraim whom was at school. William died 18 September 1938 at 18, Victoria Road, aged 66. The Bucks Examiner for 23 September reported: “Golf Club Employee’s Death. The death occurred suddenly on Sunday of Mr William Arthur Preston of 18 Victoria Road, Berkhamsted. He was born in the town 66 years ago, and for the past 24 years had been employed as a groundsman by the Berkhamsted Golf Club.  Although not in robust health in recent years, he was able to continue his work for a limited period each day and was at work as usual the day before his death.”