Preece Family History


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 The website dedicated to the research of Preece individuals and families worldwide

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Military Records - Air Force 

This section contains details of those found to be serving in Air Forces across the years, up to and including the World War 2 period. I will aim to include both service details and home/family details where they can be identified. More recent personnel will be excluded. Many will not be pilots or aircrew, but the aim is to cover anyone in the Air Force.

The Royal Air Force was formed 1 April 1918, with the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. The records of those who joined the latter two services were transferred to the RAF on or around 1 April 1918


This is very much a "work in progress". I have more details to add for these records here, and more records to find. I will add personal details such as birth/marriage from my own files as I locate them. Other sections will be developed for Army and Navy in due course.


First Name Enrolled on Service Number Rank Service joined Demobilised on Born Birthplace Further details
A F 25 Sep 1918 19374 Member (General Clerk) Women's Royal Air Force 23 Sep 1919 1900    
Albert 19 Jun 1919 331885   Royal Air Force   16 May 1901 Birmingham, Warwickshire  
Albert Edward 16 Jan 1919 326485 Aero Engine Fitter Royal Air Force   08 Apr 1902 Deptford, Kent Son of William and Jane Lucy (nee Richardson)
Albert John Victor 18 Sep 1917 150076   Royal Flying Corp   20 Jun 1887  Ledbury
  Son of William and Helen (nee Hopkins), New Street, Ledbury
Albert Thomas 23 May 1917 229557 Aircraftsman Royal Naval Air Service   22 Mar 1880 Monmouth  Son of Albert Henry and Sophia Margaret (nee Bevan), Monnow Street.
Alfred Austin Horwood 15 Jan 1916 210704 Air Mechanic Royal Naval Air Service   23 Aug 1896 Camberwell, London  Son of Harry Horwood and Alice (nee Cass)
Alice May 05 Aug 1918 15414 M T Driver (Probation) Women's Royal Air Force   1896    
Archibald George 06 Jun 1917 230272   Royal Naval Air Service   09 Oct 1897 Sutton, Nr. Hereford  Son of George and Eliza (nee Powell)
Arthur Samuel 05 Apr 1917 69909   Royal Flying Corp   1897    
Benjamin 10 Aug 1916 219028 Air Mechanic Royal Naval Air Service   11 Jun 1886 Bishops Frome, Nr Hereford  Son of Francis and Elizabeth (nee Bishop). Date of birth in other records given as 4 Jan 1888.
Brazel Gordon 08 Feb 1918 128043   Royal Flying Corp   abt 1900  Aylesbury  Son of William G and Rebecca B (nee Webster). Killed 16 Nov 1918 in flying accident at Didsbury, Wiltshire, where he was a Flight Cadet.
Cecil Arthur 15 Feb 1917 59747  Air mechanic
 Royal Flying Corp  19 Sep 1919
 08 Dec 1898 Ledbury, Herefordshire  Son of Robert, of 7 Southend, Ledbury. Civilian occupation - wireman, at Edwards Armstrong, Cainscross, Stroud.
Charles James   J/18833 Flying Officer (Pilot) Royal Canadian Air Force N/A     Killed in UK on 23 Nov 44 flying Mosquito II DD736 1692 BSTU Flt
Chris Redvers   552603 Flight Sergeant Royal Air Force   1920   Son of Charles William and Annie Matilda Preece, of Oldbury, Worcestershire. Missing believed killed; aircraft failed to return from operational flight over Brest, France, on board Wellington W5380 12 Squadron, 24 July 1941
Clement Howell 15 Apr 1918 137065 Pilot Royal Air Force   29 Mar 1900 Tufnell Park, London Son of Henry Charles and Alice (nee Newbury)
Colin Francis 08 May 1918 165021 Air Mechanic Royal Air Force   10 Nov 1900 Cardiff, Glamorgan Son of George and Sarah (nee Rees)
Craven John 17 Feb 1915 46054 Fitter Royal Flying Corp   abt 1896 Salford, Lancashire  
E L     Sergeant Royal Air Force      
Edwin 07 Aug 1916 42580 Air Mechanic Royal Flying Corp   1889  
Edwin George 04 Sep 1914 321018   Royal Flying Corp   1893 S. Peters, Leicester  Son of Edwin Charles and Sarah J (nee Sprigg)
Elizabeth Ellen 27 Apr 1918 1844 C.S.L. Women's Royal Air Force 19 Sep 1919 1895    
F L     Sergeant Royal Air Force        
Fred 30 May 1917 143458   Royal Air Force   1885    
Fred 05 Jan 1918 158674   Royal Flying Corp   22 Nov 1901 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire  Son of James, The Ark, Langden Road, Cheltenham. Civilian occupation - butter maker. 
Frederick Arnold 04 Jun 1918 191543 Air Mechanic Royal Air Force   29 Jul 1895 Busbey, Whampton  
G E   1300732 Sergeant Royal Air Force        
George Harry 05 Dec 1914 202480 Sgt Mech Rigger (Aero) Royal Air Force   09 Nov 1877 Brompton, London  Son of George and Sarah A (nee Reeves)
George Vallender 01 Feb 1918 123911   Royal Flying Corp   1890  Jackfield, Shropshire
 Son of George B and Sarah A (nee Vallender)
Gilbert Alan George 08 Feb 1918 124659 Fitter AE Royal Flying Corp   07 Nov 1899  Gloucester Son of Allen and Georgina Constance (nee Williams)
Gladys 06 May 1918 1425 Member (Fitter) Women's Royal Air Force 14 Mar 1919 1899    
Gordon Lewis   J/94374 Pilot Officer (Navigator) Royal Canadian Air Force N/A 1925   Son of Thomas Stanley and Ethel Margaret Preece of Vancouver, Canada. Died on board Lancaster I LL832 101 Sqdn 31 Mar 1944 took off from Ludford Magna, hit by flak and crashed just outside Coblenz, Germany.
H S   257464 Acting Flight Lieutenant Royal Air Force        
Harry Jelf 06 Jun 1918 192710   5 Group, RAF   1877
 Stourbridge, Worcestershire  Son of Thomas and Rhoda Elizabeth (nee Laugher)
Hector Macdonald 08 Mar 1918 140105   Royal Flying Corp   1899 Cinderford, Gloucestershire  Son of Harry Barrington and Bertha (nee Day)
Henry 19 May 1917 81846   Royal Flying Corp   1894    
J B 30 Apr 1918 772 Member (Clerk) Women's Royal Air Force 18 Jun 1919 1896    
J H   551308 Leading Aircraftman Royal Air Force        
J T   359054 Warrant Officer Royal Air Force        
James 27 Mar 1916 21993   Royal Flying Corp   1887 Ellesmere, Shropshire  
James 15 Feb 1918 124899   Royal Flying Corp   1883    
James Harold   R/184114 Flight Sergeant (Wireless Operator) Royal Canadian Air Force N/A 1924   Son of James Nathaniel and Rosina Preece, husband of Glenna E Preece of Ferris, Ontario, Canada. Killed  12 Dec 44 on board Halifax V LL541 1664 HCU
James Harold 25 Jan 1915 45840   Royal Flying Corp   abt 1895  Maindee, Monmouth
 Son of Henry and Mary Kate (nee Cousins)
Jesse 24 Jul 1915 146013   Royal Flying Corp   1890    
Jesse 14 Dec 1916 224957 Air Mechanic Royal Naval Air Service   10 Oct 1892 Abberley, Worcestershire  Son of Alfred James and Emily Elizabeth (nee White)
Jesse Edmonds 14 May 1918 176810   Royal Air Force   26 Sep 1899 Tuckhill, Shropshire  Son of Jesse and Susan A (nee Dance)
John 12 Feb 1917 59811 Air Mechanic Royal Flying Corp   abt 1899    
John 12 Jun 1918 195411   Royal Air Force   07 Jun 1874 Wolverhampton, Staffordshire  
John Colin   631045 Leading Aircraftman Royal Air Force N/A 1922  Harley, Shropshire
 Son of William Frederick and Alice Preece, of Harley, Shropshire. Served in 62 Squadron. Captured on 1942 Mar 20 at Java. Died in a POW camp at Palembang, Sumatra 24 Jun 1945
John Henry 16 Jan 1917 54766   Royal Flying Corp   22 Dec 1875    
John Joseph 25 Sep 1918 298355   Royal Air Force   23 Sep 1901 Jullender, India  
John Thomas 16 Dec 24 359054 Driver Royal Air Force   14 Apr 1905 Sutton Maddock, Shropshire  Son of Thomas and Mary Ann (nee Swift)
John Verdon   R/251550 Leading Aircraftman Royal Canadian Air Force N/A 1918   Son of John Horace and Margaret Preece, of Toronto. Husband of Hazel I Preece, also of Toronto. No Squadron details held, died 8 Mar 1946.
L G     Flight Sergeant Royal Air Force        
L G     Flight Sergeant Royal Air Force        
Leonard John   1310537 Flight Sergeant Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve N/A/ 1914   Husband of Marie F Preece of Bispham, Blackpool, Lancashire. Son of Arthur & Louise Preece. Died 04 Feb 43 on board Hudson III V9044 279 Sqdn
Leonard William 31 Jul 1917 234571 Aircraftsman Royal Naval Air Service   16 Jul 1879 Bishopston, Gloucestershire  Son of Edward and Rebecca (nee Withycombe)
Lilian Isabel 25 Oct 1918 23642 Member (General Clerk) Women's Royal Air Force 09 Oct 1919 1894  Paddington Daughter of Edgar William and Isabel (nee Emme)
Malcolm James 10 Apr 1940 43292 Pilot Officer Royal Air Force       Son of Cleopatra Preece, and stepson of Harold Illingworth, Devonport, Tasmania. Missing, believed killed from enemy action on board Hampden X3004, 50 Squadron, 8 Dec 1940
Maude 20 Jun 1918 11229 Sub Section Leader Women's Royal Air Force 02 Jan 20 1901    
Mervyn Stanley   1375153 Sergeant Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve N/A 1920 Westminster, London Son of Mervyn Claude and Margaret. Wireless Operator. Killed aircraft failed to return from an operational flight over Nurnberg, Germany, flying in Wellington Z8844, 115 Squadron, 14 October 1941
N 19 Nov 1917 7584 Member (Photographer) Women's Royal Air Force 17 Oct 1919 1894    
O D   2075236 Leading Aircraftman Royal Air Force        
Percival Lewis 10 Jun 1916 31377   Royal Flying Corp   1883  Hereford Son of William and Mary Ann (nee Harrison)
Reginald Roderick   151813 Flying Officer Royal Air Force N/A 1923   Son of Mr & Mrs RRG Preece of Thornton Heath, Surrey. Died on board  Lancaster l NG244 Unit 626 Sqdn 22 Dec 44, having taken off from Wickenby, forced to turn back due to an engine failure, and crashed on approach.
Reginald Thomas 03 Jun 1918 191026 Air Mechanic Royal Flying Corp   30 Nov 1900 Wolverhampton, Staffordshire  Son of Walter Thomas and Ellen Gertrude (nee Carter)
Robert John   1174086 Sergeant (Observer) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve N/A 1921   Son of Herbert and Daisy Preece of Bridgwater, Somerset. Buried at Wembdon. Died on board Lancaster I W4270 61 Sqdn crashed 2256 18 Feb 1943 following an engine fire flying in the circuit at Bottesford airfield Leicestershire
S C J 1918 49553   Royal Flying Corp    1 Jun 1896
 Ross, Hereford
 Son of Joseph and Annie (nee Stephens)
Sidney 17 Jun 1919 331809 Fitter Royal Air Force   04 Mar 1901 Greet, Birmingham  Son of George and Martha (nee Baldwin)
Stephen Charles Joseph 10 Aug 1914 403019 Air Mechanic Royal Flying Corp   1 Jun 1896 Ross, Hereford  Son of Joseph and Annie (nee Stephens)
Sydney Charles   637297 Corporal   N/A     POW on board SS Junyo Maru, being taken from Java to Sumatra attacked and sunk by UK submarine HMS Tradewind 18 Sep 1944. Over 4,000 men died, including Sydney. 
Sydney Talbot 10 Nov 1920 344099   Royal Air Force   26 Oct 1902 Lye, Stourbridge, Staffordshire  Son of Frederick William and Gertrude (nee Hickman)
T J     Flight Sergeant Royal Air Force        
Thomas 11 Dec 1917 185718   Royal Air Force   abt 1897  Malvern, Worcestershire
  Civilian occupation gardener - transferred to RAF 18/5/18 from Army (rank Private).Home address 1 Meadow View, West Malvern. Mother Mary
Thomas Henry 15 Jul 1916 218364 Air Mechanic Royal Naval Air Service   20 Feb 1883 Stapenhill, Derbyshire  Son of Thomas and Mary A (nee Compton)
Thomas James   J/93896 Pilot Officer (Wireless Operator) Royal Canadian Air Force N/A     Son of Nathanial James and Rosina Preece, of North Bay, Ontario, Canada. Died on board Lancaster II LL628 426 Sqdn over Germany Took off 1625 20 Jan 1944 from Linton on Ouse. He is buried in the Berlin 1939 45 War Cemetery
Tom Hilton 30 Jan 1918 248683 Fitter AE Royal Naval Air Service   27 Jan 1899 Runcorn, Cheshire  Son of Thomas and Helen (nee Lucking)
Trevor Meyrick 11 Jan 1916 17842   Royal Flying Corp   abt 1897  Porth, Glamorgan
 Son of John and Margaret (nee John)
Vincent Charles 21 Aug 1919 334420 21 Aug 1919
 Royal Air Force  28 Feb 1930
 22 Apr 1903 Bullingham, Hereford  Son of George and Eliza (nee Price)
W H     Pilot Officer Royal Air Force        
Wallace John   1234556 Flight Sergeant Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve N/A 1922   Husband of Eileen Beatrice Preece of Short Heath, Staffordshire. Son of Wallace John and Harriet Elizabeth Preece. Died on board Halifax II JN885 51 Sqdn In Germany took off 2242 8 Oct 1943 from Snaith. Cause of loss not established.
Walter 26 Aug 1914 146489   Royal Air Force   26 Mar 1885 Hereford Son of William and Eliza (nee Davies)
William   1011196 Leading Aircraftman Royal Air Force N/A     No details of cause or place of death known buried at Heath Hayes, Staffordshire 1 May 1942
William Jabez   1576840 Flight Sergeant Royal Air Force N/A 1923   Son of Jabez and Olive Mehalla Preece, of Staunton on Arrow, Herefordshire. Died on board Mosquito NF.XII HK135 256 Sqdn, North Sea, 30 Jun 1943