Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Josiah Preston, a domestic gardener’s labourer, born 1861 in Exton, Rutland and his wife Mary Caroline Preston (nee Ireland, married in the 2nd quarter of 1887 in the Oakham, Rutland district), born 1865 in Manton, Rutland. Albert Edward was born on the 25th February 1892 in Hambleton, Rutland and was baptised on the 3rd April 1892 in Hambleton, his siblings were, Emma, born 1890, John William, born 1894 and was baptised on the 2nd December 1894 in Hambleton and Florence Mary, born 1899 and was baptised on the 1st October 1899 in Hambleton, all his siblings were born in Hambleton, in March 1901 the family home was at Hambleton. In April 1911 Albert was absent from the family home at Upper Hambleton, residing there was his father, a domestic gardener, his mother and siblings, John, a farm wagoner and Florence, a schoolgirl, Albert was employed as a domestic hall boy and was residing as a servant at The Stables, Ashwell Hall, Ashwell, Rutland. Albert also had the following siblings, Alice, born 1888 in Hambleton and baptised on the 15th July 1888 in Hambleton, Emma born 1889 in Hambleton and baptised on the 25th December 1889 in Hambleton and Josiah, born 19th December 1901 in Hambleton, and baptised on the 23rd March 1902 in Hambleton. Prior to his enlistment Albert had been employed as a footman in the service of Colonel Blair of Ashwell Hall.
Albert attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) on the 5th September 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Hamilton, Oakham, Rutland, his age as 22 years and 192 days and his trade or calling as footman. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Josiah Preston and his mother Mary Preston, of Hamilton, Oakham, Rutland as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 9½ inches in height, weighed 130 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was dark brown and he had hazel eyes. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 5th September 1914 in The Magazine, Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 15228 on the 5/9/14. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 20/9/14. Joined the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in Aldershot on the 21/9/14. Posted to Folkestone on the 28/2/15. Admitted to Shorncliffe Military Hospital on the 5/4/15. Discharged from Hospital on the 21/4/15. Posted to Perham Down on the 8/4/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Reported wounded in action, in the field on the 15/7/16. Reported wounded and missing, in the field on the 15/7/16. Reported killed in action, in the field on the 15/7/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 5/9/14 – 28/7/15, 326 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 - 15/7/16, 356 days. Total Service 1 year and 316 days. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Albert’s father Josiah Preston on the 9th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Ulric H. Allen, Vicar of Hambleton, Hambleton Vicarage, Oakham on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Josiah Preston of Hambleton, Oakham. Mother of soldier, Mary Caroline Preston of Hambleton, Oakham. Full blood brother’s of soldier, John William Preston, age 24 of 68, Regent Street, Nuneaton. Charles Josiah Preston, age 17 of Hambleton, Oakham. Full blood sisters of soldier, Alice Preston, age 31 of Bushloe House, Wigston, Leicester. Emma Preston, age 29 of Stretton, Stamford. Florence Mary Preston, age 19 of Hambleton, Oakham. Albert’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 14 Jul-16 - 3.00am. Dispositions as follows, Battalion Headquarters same place as above, “D” Company in 2 lines of 2 platoons with its right on the railway 200 yards in front of north edge of wood. “C” Company moved up to the north edge, “B” Company supporting 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT lying in the north east corner of the wood, “A” Company supported the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT lying out in the open on the eastern side of the wood. Battalion raiders and “D” Company bombers were lying out in front of “D” Company 1st wave. During our intense bombardment from 3.00am, enemy subjected the north edge of the wood and the wood itself to very heavy bombardment and machine gun fire. 3.25am “D” Company advanced preceded by the raiders and bombers to their objective which was about 100 yards of VILLA TRENCH to the left of the railway LEFT TRENCH and ASTON TRENCH. During intense bombardment they crept up as close as possible. In the actual attack this Company suffered considerably from hostile machine gun fire, not a single officer reaching VILLA TRENCH. The Company was led by its N.C.O.’s. Very little opposition was encountered once VILLA TRENCH was reached, dug outs were immediately bombed and the Lewis guns which followed up closely took up a position in VILLA TRENCH and caused a considerable number of casualties amongst the retreating enemy. Although the majority of the raiders had been knocked out, the remainder did excellent work in bombing towards the left flank and blocking VILLA and ASTON TRENCHES. “D” Company consolidated these trenches as quickly as possible. At 4.25am “C” Company and 1st waves of “A” and “B” Companies advanced over the 450 yards of no man’s land and arrived at BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD, “C” Company going up the west side of the wood as far as FOREST TRENCH support, eventually advancing with 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT as far as the north edge of the wood on the way bombing two enemy dug outs in the wood. This Company’s final position was from ASTON TRENCH to within about 100 yards of North West corner of wood. “B” Company and “A” Company on arrival at the wood pushed forward in support of 7th and 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT the whole three advancing to the north edge of the wood and BAZENTIN LE PETIT village. The enemy put up a strong resistance in FOREST TRENCH but withdrew to the outskirts of the village and the extreme north east corner of the wood, the time was about 8.00am. During the advance over no man’s land a number of casualties received due to enemy machine gun situated in the middle of the wood on platforms up large trees. About 5.00am Commanding Officer and Adjutant came over to South West corner of wood where Battalion Headquarters was established. 5.25am last wave of “A” and “B” Companies came over and passed right through the wood to the North edge. 5.00am. Enemy counter attacked up ASTON and VILLA TRENCHES with bombs and rifle grenades, “C” Company under 2nd Lieutenant ALEXANDER formed bombing parties and drove them back, the latter and the Colonel losing their lives about this time. The left flank was continually rifle grenaded till about 2.30pm. 10.00am. Enemy counter attacked the North edge of the wood but were repulsed by rifle and Lewis gun fire after 3 hours of fighting. About this time 50 men were sent up from FOREST TRENCH where they were consolidating to support “C” Company’s right. Every effort was now made to consolidate positions gained. From 3.00 to 4.15pm enemy bombarded BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD and no man’s land very heavily, using tear shells, when the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT came up with reinforcements. Night of 14th/15th. North edge of wood was much troubled by a party of enemy entrenched outside, who caused several casualties with rifle grenades and sniping. This party was eventually driven out by stokes gun on night of 16th/17th instant.
The War Diary records: 15 Jul-16 - 6.00am. Battalion had orders to withdraw to a spot in rear of MAMETZ WOOD together with the 7th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. On its arrival it was ordered to resume its positions in BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD as soon as possible, which it did. Nothing of importance happened after this till the Battalion was relieved except continual sniping from the enemy. Rations and water and small arms ammunition came up each evening and were successfully distributed except in the case of an isolated party of “B” Company in BAZENTIN village on evening of 14th.