Harrogate Herald - 14th November 1917

Roll of Honour

Bombardier George Preston, RFA, son of Wilfred Preston, Oatlands Mount, and son-in-law of Mr H Gamble, 3 Gladstone Street, Oatlands Mount, Harrogate, died of wounds November 3rd, 1917. Bombardier Preston joined the forces in September, 1914, and went to France April, 1915. He was an electrician and employed by Mr Newby, of Harrogate, before enlisting. 

His major writes : 

"It is with a very sad heart that I write to tell you that your husband, Bombardier Preston, of my battery, died of wounds received in action yesterday. While firing to repel a German counter-attack about dawn yesterday morning, the battery came under heavy shell fire, and numerous casualties occurred. Your husband was badly wounded, but was very cheerful while being attended to, and he was at once removed to the nearest ambulance and taken away. Late last night I went round some of the company's dressing stations to hear news of the wounded, and was very upset to hear of his death at the main dressing station about noon. He had been very cheerful up to the last and never gave up hope. He was buried in the little English cemetery near one of the big main roads of Belgium, and his grave will be well looked after. I cannot tell you how much we all, officers and men, sympathise with you in your terrible loss. We were all so fond of your husband, so brave and always so cheerful. He had done splendidly during the last firing we have just gone through, and I had recommended him for promotion to corporal. He died like a true British soldier at his post".