PRESTON, John Alfred

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Rank:

Private

Unit / Base:

2 Commando

Regiment/Corps:

South Lancashire Regiment

Service:

Army

Service Number:

3650666

P.O.W. number:

18672

P.O.W. camps:

Marlag and Milag Nord, Westertimke, Germany

Stalag VIII-B (8B)(Stalag 344), Lamsdorf Poland

Born:

Friday, August 23, 1912

Birthplace:

Newton-Le-Willows, Lancashire

Died:

1988

Place died or last resided:

St Helen's District, Lancashire

Age:

Operations:

'St. Nazaire - Operation Chariot'

Private John Preston, aged 29 and from Earlestown St Helens, served in No.2 Commando 4 Troop and was one of the commando contingent who embarked on Motor Launch ML 306 for Operation Chariot, the raid at St. Nazaire on 28 March 1942. Reported missing after the raid, later confirmed a prisoner of war. Confined at Marlag and Milad Nord Camp April 1942 to June 1942. Transferred to Stalag 344 and held until liberated May 1945.

Educated at Earlestown Central Council School before taking up employment in the slotting department at the Vulcan Foundry aged 18. He enlisted into the Army on 11 June 1931 and served in India for seven years before returning to his old job at the foundry. Being on the Reserve List he was called up on the outbreak of war and served in France during the evacuation at Dunkirk. He served in No.2 Commando from at least August 1941.

Sources

[1] Dir. of Mil. Int.: Liberated Prisoner of War Interrogation Questionnaire 1945/6 / National Archives file WO344/258/2.

[1a] Casualty Lists 1939-45 /National Archives file WO417/43.

[1b] Prisoners of War 1715-1945 / National Archives file WO392/1.

[2] Article in the Liverpool Echo 11 April 1942.

[3] St. Nazaire Society website.

[4] [Image 1] Newton and Earlestown Guardian 10 April 1942, page 3.

[Image 2] 4 Troop image in CVA No.2 Cdo Gallery.

Photo of Commando in Gallery:

Yes

Archive pages :

No 2 Commando