SERGEANT HARRY G. PRESTON

Ex Sergeant Harry G. Preston (35) late of the 10th Royal Hussars, whose home is Vale Villas, Ferrybridge, has been awarded the Military Medal. He was wounded at Knightsbridge near Tobruk last year and arrived in this country just before Christmas with the first batch of Eighth Army wounded.

He told the Express that on January 23rd last year, Rommel was contacted near El Ageila. A terrific tank battle ensued during which Sergeant Preston was responsible for the evacuation of wounded men. They were cut off by the enemy and had a two day journey across the dessert to their own lines. On the way they captured an enemy ambulance which was filled with wounded. During the famous Knightsbridge box battle on May the 26th, Sergeant Preston jumped into an American car and drove to within 200 yards of two enemy tanks which were in action, to rescue a wounded corporal. On the following day, while being bombed by Junkers 87's he foresaw danger for a Captain and two other men, one wounded. He immediately jumped over them, covered them with his own body and was struck on his head by a bomb fragment. His left leg and arm are now partly paralysed and Mr. Preston was discharged from the Army in March, sixteen years to the day after he first joined.

He expects to receive his medal from the King at Buckingham Palace next month. An elder brother, a major in the Australian Army, was awarded the M.C. last year, a younger brother has recently arrived in North Africa and the youngest brother has just been called up.

Pontefract and Castleford Express

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