Kenneth Preston

Ken was born on September 16th, 1961 at St Helens in Merseyside, where his family still reside. Eight years later, his brother Nigel arrived, by which time Ken was attending the local parish school. From there he moved on to the Central High School, where his athletic interests centred around running and swimming. Since his other passion was the St John’s Ambulance Brigade, it was perhaps inevitable that he would join the Army and elect to serve with the Royal Army Medical Corps. That is exactly what he did, completing training at Keogh Barracks in Aldershot and then serving with the British Army of the Rhine in Germany for the next three years.

While he was on leave in Easter 1982, he was recalled to duty and service with the 16th Field Ambulance attached to 5 Infantry Brigade, training initially in helicopter casualty evacuation. He was then assigned directly to the medical section of the 1st Battalion of the Welsh Guards, sailing with them in the QE2 from England, and transferring to the liner Canberra in South Georgia for the final leg to the Falklands. Shortly after arrival there, the unit embarked in the RFA Sir Galahad. While still unloading near Fitzroy, the logistic landing ship was attacked by Argentine fighter bombers and set on fire. Along with two other members of his unit, and nearly fifty Welsh Guardsmen, Ken Preston was killed. His body remains with those of his comrades, in the hulk of the Sir Galahad, which was subsequently towed out to sea and sunk as a war grave.

There is a plaque in his honour positioned in St Thomas’s Church in St Helens; his parents are still alive. Brother Nigel married Anne Marie and now have a baby son Joseph, a nephew that Ken will never know.

Ken will always be loved and sadly missed.

The chain of treasured memories is never broken.

Locked in our hearts for ever.

Mum, Dad, brother Nige, Anne Marie, baby Joe.

I served with Kenny at 16 Field – Kenny was a very likable chap, Kenny was babysitter to my first born. We were both attached to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.

How I survived and Kenny didn’t, I’ll never know. I’ll never forget that day, a constant reminder of Kenny, Ian and Major Nutbeem

David Payne

Family and friends are encouraged to contribute.

We will add information to this memorial as we receive it.

If you have a photo, an anecdote, or simply to say you remember him, we will be very pleased to hear from you, so please contact the sama office at [email protected] 

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