Private Francis G Preston

Francis George Preston, son of Francis Henry and Annie Preston, of Lozells, Birmingham, originally enlisted in the Wiltshire Regiment. He then transferred to 10th Bn, The Royal Welch Fusiliers and then volunteered for the airborne forces.

Pte Preston attended parachute course 59 at RAF Ringway from 5 to 16 April 1943 and was was posted to B Company, the 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion and went to North Africa.

He later took part in the amphibious landings in Italy in September 1943, on board a mine layer, HMS Abdiel. Unfortunately, HMS Abdiel struck a mine in Taranto Harbour causing significant casualties and loss of life, including Pte. Preston.

Pte. Preston died at sea on 10 September 1943, aged 19.

He is commemorated on the Medjez-El-Bab memorial.

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