Thomas "Tony" Preston

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Thomas joined the RAF in 1933 as a Halton apprentice and in 1935 was invited to sit for aircrew selection which he passed and then spent two years at Cranwell.  In 1937 he joined 12 Squadron and was sent to Aiden. In 1939/40 he was involved in the battle of France flying Fairy Battles and returned to the UK at the time of Dunkirk. 

All his belongings were lost on the Lancastrian, which was sunk several miles south of Dunkirk.  Lost also was his original logbook, his replacement logbook starts in mid 1940.  12 Squadron converted to Wellingtons, which he flew through late 42/early 43.  In October 43, he joined 625 Squadron which was a new squadron formed not far from Binbrook where 12 Squadron was based. 

He came off Operations, leaving 625 squadron, in March or April 1944. in 1945 he went to Indonesia with the War Graves Commission and spent two years there. In the 1950s he converted to Meteors and was based in Germany. He subsequently left the service in 1959.

After living in Palma, Majorca, for two years, he returned to the MOD in London for a 17 year career as a civilian air intelligence officer.  

He passed away in October 1993 at the age of 77.

He was promoted to Wing Commander mid 1943 and remained in that rank until his retirement in 1959. His highest decoration was a DFC and Bar.

He did not fly again as a crewmember after leaving the service.

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