Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Richard Preston, a stocking knitter, born 18th October 1843 in Huncote, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Ann Preston (nee Chandler, married on the 17th May 1869 in All Saint’s Church, Narborough, Leicestershire) born 1846 in Huncote. Elisha was born in the 3rd quarter of 1885 in Huncote, his siblings were, Mary Ann, a stocking knitter, born 1870, John (Jack), a blacksmith, born 1874, Emma, a stocking knitter, born 19th July 1874, Rachel, a stocking knitter, born 1st April 1876, Letitia, born 19th April 1879, Rose Ann, born 1880, Joseph, born 1882, Sophia, born 26th April 1883 and Arthur, born 1885, all his siblings were born in Huncote, in April 1891 the family home was at South View, Huncote. In March 1901 Elisha was employed as an agricultural labourer and was residing in the family home at Huncote Villa, Huncote, together with his father, a hosiery trade worker, his mother and siblings, Letitia, a hosiery trade worker, Joseph a stone quarry worker, Sophia, a hosiery trade worker, Arthur, a concrete trade labourer and Samuel, born 1892 in Huncote. Elisha’s father died in 1902 age 59 in Huncote. In April 1911 Elisha was employed as a quarry labourer and was residing in Huncote in the family home of his widowed brother John, a blacksmith and John’s son Alfred John, born 1909 in Huncote, also residing in the family home were Elisha’s siblings, Emma, a house keeper, Arthur, an engine driver and Samuel, a farm labourer. Elisha also had the following siblings, Rebecca, born 1872 and died in 1900 and William, born 1878, both siblings were born in Huncote. His younger brother Samuel, is also recorded on the War Memorial in St. James’ Church, Huncote as having died during the Great War but all attempts to trace any details of his service career have so far proved fruitless.
Elisha enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 13th January 1916 in Hinckley, and was allotted the service number 25726. He gave his age as 30 years 201 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He gave his present address as Stoney Stanton Road, Sapcote, Leicestershire.
His medical examination took place in Hinckley on the 31st January 1916 and recorded his apparent age as 30 years 202 days, that he was 5-feet 6¾ inches in height, weighed 133 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 36½ inches.
He gave his next of kin as his brother, John Preston, Forest Lane, Huncote, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Attested. 13/1/16.
To. Army Reserve. 13/1/16.
Mobilized. 29/2/16.
Posted. To Depot, Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 29/2/16.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 2/3/16.
Embarked. Folkestone. To join Expeditionary Force. 10/8/16.
Posted. To British Expeditionary Force, 12th Infantry Brigade Depot. 11/8/16.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 16/8/16.
Posted. To 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 28/7/16.
Joined. 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 29/8/16.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 3/5/17.
Admitted. To 44th Field Ambulance, gunshot wound to the leg. 4/5/17.
Admitted. To 43rd Casualty Clearing Station. 4/5/17.
Admitted. To 3rd General Hospital, Le Treport. 4/5/17.
Discharged. To Base Depot. 8/5/17.
Joined. 12th Infantry Brigade Depot, Calais. 10/5/17.
Joined. 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 26/5/17.
Killed in action. In the Field. 18/7/17.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 18 Jul-1917 - ADINFER WOOD. 1 other rank killed in action.