Preston, George
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | George |
Surname | Preston |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 14-02-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of W. Preston, and of Eleanor Preston, of Ashington, Northumberland. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | PB686 |
Markings | KO-D |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Route de Solesmes Communal Cemetery, Cambrai |
Grave Reference | Plot 2 Row B. Grave 10. |
Epitaph | HE LIVES ENSHRINED WITHIN OUR HEARTS, BELOVED AND UNFORGOTTEN |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 228 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1826725 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 115 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Lancaster Industrial Estate, Witchford, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Pillar with inscribed Slate Tablets & Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In honour of those who served during the Second World War 1939 - 1945 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 13-02-1945 |
End Date | 14-02-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Witchford |
Day/Night Raid | Night (2% moon) |
Operation | Dresden- Operation Thunderclap. Undoubtedly the most controversial raid of the entire war, this was, on the face of it at least, an ordinary attack for Bomber Command at this point in the war. 805 aircraft in two waves, 3 hours apart with the second wave causing a firestorm. The true death toll is unknown but is believed to be in excess of 50000. 9 aircraft were lost. The American 8th Air Force also bombed the following day and again the day after, concluding their attack on 2nd March. It was, however, the first attack by the RAF which inflicted most of the damage. |
Reason for Loss | Abandoned due to an engine fire on homebound leg. Crashed at Joncourt, north of St. Quentin, France |