Henry Preston

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 26/07/2017 - 10:24

First Name:

Henry

Last Name:

Preston aka Priske

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, March 8, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

56th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Place of Death:

New Zealand

Details:

Henry Preston (Service No 2241) was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand, in October 1875.

At enlistment Henry was living in Kiama, NSW. he was single, 40 years old & worked as a labourer.

Henry embarked from Sydney on HMAT A15 Port Sydney with 56th Battalion, 4th Reinforcements on 4th September 1916. After arriving in England on 29th October 1916 Henry joined 56th Battalion in the field on 23rd December 1916.

He saw service on the Western Front until he was wounded in action on 26th September 1917. The 56th battalion were at Polygon Wood and Henry was wounded while capturing a bunker. He was evacuated to England for treatment of a gun shot wound to his left leg.

Henry suffered from chronic bronchitis and was repatriated to Australia in December 1918. He was discharged medically unfit on 23rd March 1919.

He returned to New Zealand where he died under the name of Priske in 1962.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, PRESTON HENRY