Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery

Awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery.

103 years ago today, on the 16th July 1917, Private Frederick Michael Preston, 34th Battalion, loco fireman (Hamilton, N.S.W.), father of three, from 25 Union Street, Tighes Hill, New South Wales, was killed by a Gun Shot Wound from Machine Gun during a raid on a strong point in Belgium, age 26.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1653488- no Roll of Honour circular submitted.

See Red Cross Wounded and Missing - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1501061

Born at Newcastle, New South Wales on the 30th July 1890 to Frederick (died 1913) and Catherine (Kate, died 1939 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article135467743) Preston; husband of Maud Ella Preston nee Green (married 1912, Merewether, N.S.W., died?) of 317 Harris Street, Pyrmont, N.S.W. and Grovers Lane, Glen Innes, N.S.W., Frederick enlisted August 1916 at Rutherford, N.S.W.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133835628
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138158374
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123666606
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123662467

Mr Preston’s remains were never located, so his name has been inscribed on The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 23), Belgium (54,896 names inscribed of British and Commonwealth soldiers who fell in the Ypres Salient during The Great War, 6,198 Australians).
Frederick’s name has also been inscribed on the Wickham (Hawkins Oval) Soldiers' Memorial, Wickham Municipal District Roll of Honour Board (1), Hamilton Loco Employees Roll of Honour, St. Mary's-Marist Bros' School (Newcastle) Honour Roll (photos) and the NSW Govt Railways and Tramways Roll of Honour, 1914-1919.

There is no memorial inscription on the headstone of Frederick’s parents to tell us of the loss of their son, and I am unable to erect a memorial cross, so I have placed poppies to honour the service and sacrifice of Frederick for God, King and Country. CATHOLIC 1-D Com. 403.
http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/index.php/war-heroes/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&aso=exact&s_f=id&data_search=10520#2

Younger brother George Arthur (Reg No-28894, 3rd Australian Field Artillery Brigade, born 1893, died 1948, resting Stockton Cemetery) also served 1st A.I.F.

Informant Private Percy Randolph Jamieson, Reg No-2098, 34th Battalion, resting at Rookwood Cemetery - https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=152231, younger brother Private John (Jack) Henry Jamieson, Reg No-2097, 34th Battalion, memorialised Sandgate Cemetery.

Five brothers served during The Great War).
Lest We Forget.

Frederick Michael PRESTON was born on 30th July 1890. He was born and raised in Newcastle, NSW. On 8th February 1911 he joined the NSW Government Railways and Tramways as a cleaner in the Locomotive Branch at Hamilton. On 13th August 1911 he progressed to the grade of fireman. However, on 18th April 1912 he transferred to Port Waratah at the grade of cleaner, but with no reduction in pay. On 24th May 1912 he regained the grade of fireman. He retained the position of fireman, based at Port Waratah, until 15th November 1915 when he transferred back to Hamilton. On 1st September 1916 he was released from duty to join the Expeditionary Forces.

He joined the AIF on 29th August 1916 with the rank of Private (Service Number 2630) and he was posted to the 5th Reinforcements to the 34th Infantry Battalion. He nominated his wife, Maud Ella (Preston), as his next of kin. Their family home was at Tighes Hill in Newcastle. At the time he enlisted they had two children, Frederick James (birth registered at Wickham in 1913) and Maud Kathleen – or Cathleen - (birth registered at Newcastle in 1915). Their third child, John Michael, was born after he enlisted (birth registered at Wickham in 1917) and would never have known his father.

Frederick embarked for England aboard SS ‘Port Napier’ at Sydney on 17th November 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth, England, on 29th January 1917. On arrival he proceeded directly to the 9th Training Battalion where he remained until 3rd May 1917 when he left England for France. In France he went firstly to the 3rd Australian Division Base Depot before he marched out to join the 34th Infantry Battalion on 10th June 1917.

He was taken on strength of this unit in the field in Belgium on 13th June 1917.

On 16th July 1917 he was reported as missing in action. A subsequent Court of Enquiry determined he had been killed in action on this date.

Depositions in his Red Cross Enquiry file provide some further information. Private P R Jamieson (2098) stated:

‘Our Coy. went out on a raid at 5 a.m. at Warneton, Messines. Preston was hit by M.G. fire and killed on the spot. I saw his body lying near the wire when we came back. I do not know about burial. It was a silent raid. There was no shelling but a great deal of M.G. fire. I knew him well, came from Tigheshill [sic], Newcastle, NSW, we worked together on the same Rly.’

Capt. Chaplain McCook stated:

‘He went out with 40 men on a raid and did not return. His body was found a few days after and was buried by the men on the field. He was too well known by the men for them to make any mistake as to his identity.’

The location of Frederick’s grave could not be identified subsequently, and he is commemorated at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium. His place of association is Tighes Hill, NSW.

After his death his widow and children were granted pensions totalling £4 and 5 shillings per fortnight, with effect from 9th December 1917.

- based on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll and notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board.