Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Job Preston a lime burner, born 1852 in Sileby, Leicestershire, baptised 18th April 1852 in the Parish Church Sileby, and his wife Mary Ann Preston (nee Hillier, married on the 15th June 1874 in the Parish Church, Sileby), born 1857 in Sileby. Harold was born on the 14th October 1891 in Sileby, and baptised on the 1st March 1911 in Sileby Parish Church, his siblings were, Thomas, a shoemaker, born 1878, baptised 28th July 1878 in the Parish Church Sileby, Ernest, a shoemaker, born 1881, baptised 28th August 1881 in the Parish Church Sileby, Albert Edward, a shoemaker, born 18th May 1884, baptised 29th August 1886 in the Parish Church Sileby, Mary Florence, born 28th February 1889, baptised 25th August 1889 in the Parish Church Sileby, Ethel Maud, born 1890 and Evelyn, born 7th March 1898, baptised 22nd August 1898 in the Parish Church Sileby, all his siblings were born in Sileby, in March 1901 the family home was at Cossington Road, Sileby. In April 1911 Harold was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing in the family home at Cossington Road, Sileby, together with his widowed father, a cement labourer and his siblings, Ethel May, a machinist born 5th April 1894 in Sileby, baptised 1st March 1911 in the Parish Church Sileby and Evelyn, a machinist. Harold died in Dudley Road Hospital, Birmingham, he was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – SILEBY YEOMAN KILLED.- Official news was received on Tuesday that Trooper Harold Preston of the Leicestershire Yeomanry (son of Mr Job Preston, Cossington Road, Sileby), had been killed in action. Harold was educated at the National School, Sileby, Leicestershire, and joined the Leicestershire Yeomanry on the 13th May 1915. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the 21st November 1915, until he was badly gassed at Ypres on the 19th July 1916 and was invalided home. On recovery he was appointed as a Machine Gun Instructor, he then volunteered for foreign service and returned to France on the 15th December 1916. He died at No. 21 Southern General Hospital, Birmingham on the 4th May 1918 of wounds received in action on the 5th April 1918. His Commanding Officer wrote, “We miss him so much in the section, as he was so wonderfully liked by all. He and I got on very well together, and I had hopes of making him a Sergeant before long, as he was such a good man on the gun. I only wish I had a few more like him.” Harold was unmarried.
On Friday May 10th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “SILEBY.” – MILITARY FUNERAL. – Amid scenes of universal sympathy and regret the body of Corporal Harold Preston was laid to rest with military honours on Wednesday afternoon. Deceased had been on active service for the past three years, originally going to France with the Leicestershire Yeomanry, but after being badly gassed was appointed Machine Gun Instructor. His patriotic spirit however, led him to volunteer for France again, and after going unscathed through the German offensive from March 21st to April 5th, he was hit when returning from a voluntary ration errand to the front line. His left leg was amputated, but he died at the early age of 27 years at Birmingham, on Saturday last. The whole of the factories in the village ceased work, and a crowd of fully 2,000 paid their last respects at the graveside. The Vicar (Rev. F. L. Burrow) conducted the funeral rites at the Parish Church and at the cemetery. The immediate mourners were deceased’s brothers and sisters, and other relatives. The floral tributes were numerous, and, in addition to those from the family, included tokens from the workpeople at most of the local factories. The grave was lined with ivy and white narcissi. A firing party from Wigston attended, and a bugler sounded “The Last Post.” Members of the local Volunteer Training Corps in uniform acted as pall bearers.
On Friday July 19th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. The following local names have appeared in the official casualty lists published during the past week: - From Saturday’s list: Died of Wounds. M.G.C. – Preston, 60388 Act.-Cpl. H. (Sileby).