Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Thomas William Preston (Junior)

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THOMAS WILLIAM PRESTON: 1891 – 1945

Thomas was born on 3^rd March 18f91[1] in Berkhamsted. His father, also called Thomas William Preston, described his occupation in the census of 1901 as a “general worker” and in 1911 as a “builder’s labourer.”  Thomas’s mother was Eliza Preston, née Cato. Thomas was one of nine children[2] and the family lived at 29 Bridge Street in Berkhamsted. The property, still standing today, is a small terraced cottage which must have been cramped for the large Preston family. Also living with the family was 24 years old Isabel Cato, a niece of Eliza.

At the time of the 1911 census, the family was still living at 29 Bridge Street, but all of Thomas’ siblings and Isabel Cato had moved out of the house, leaving Thomas, his younger siblings Florence, Frederick and Jessie together with their parents in occupation. Thomas, then age 19 years was working as a baker.

At some time between 1911 and 1914, Thomas joined the Army, but as it has not been possible to find his service record, we do not know exactly when he enlisted. It must have been sometime before the outbreak of World War I, as we do know that Thomas served with the 1^st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment who landed in to Belgium on 15^th August 1914 as part of the British Expeditionary Force. On the 24^th August the battalion fought at the Battle of Mons. It was part of 5^th Brigade who were fought rearguard actions against the pursuing Germans. They fought off heavy assaults despite taking many casualties and then retreated in good order. The battalion fought at Le Cateau on 26^th August before again withdrawing in the face of overwhelming odds[3]. Thomas was taken prisoner.

Thomas had been in Belgium 11 days; he was to spend the next four years in prisoner of war camps. Thomas spent time at the camp at Merseburg, an assembly camp holding up to 25,000 prisoners from which men were drafted to work camps and also at Zerbst where 100,000 men were registered, the majority put to work in industry and agriculture. Thomas did at least survive the war and was awarded the 1914 Star, The British War Medal and the Victory Medal. 

At the conclusion of the war, Thomas came home to Berkhamsted. He married Eliza Winfield in the third quarter of 1920 and the first of two children, Hilda Elizabeth Preston, was born to the couple on 18^th June 1921. The second child Phyllis Margaret Preston was born in 1922. The family were living at 24 Castle Street and Thomas worked as a carpenter.[4]

 Sadly, the marriage only lasted 10 years; Ellen died in 1931. Thomas evidently suffered ill health, possibly as a result of the time he spent in prison camps. In 1939 we find him living at the Rose & Crown pub in Chesham and he is described in the 1939 Register as a “Soldier incapacitated 100%.” Phyllis and Hilda went to live with their maternal grandmother, and in 1939 the three of them were living in Victoria Road in the home of Ellen’s sister Mary, who had married William Gibbs[5]. 

Thomas remained in Chesham until his death on 28^th November 1945. He died at Amersham Emergency Hospital at the age of 54 years.