Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Admiral Sir Lionel Preston, K.C.B., Royal Navy, a mine sweeping specialist who was later Fourth Sea Lord and Chief of Supplies and Transport 1930-32

China 1900, no clasp (Lieut. L. S. Preston, R.N., H.M.S. Rosario) note incorrect second initial; 1914-15 Star (Capt. L. G. Preston, C.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. L. G. Preston R.N.); Coronation 1911; Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, gold and enamels, mounted court style as worn, good very fine (6) £800-1000

Lionel George Preston was born on 27 September 1875, and educated at Stubbington House, Fareham. He entered Britannia as a Naval Cadet in July 1888, becoming Midshipman in March 1891, and Sub Lieutenant in September 1894. Promoted to Lieutenant in April 1897, Preston saw service during the Boxer Rebellion in China as First Lieutenant of H.M.S. Rosario. He was specially promoted to Commander in 1907, for seamanlike handling of H.M.S. Bruiser in heavy weather off Ricasoli, Malta, and on a dark night, when, by taking his ship alongside the destroyer Ariel, which was rapidly sinking, the majority of the officers and crew were saved. In command Plymouth Port Defence Flotilla, 1908-10; in command of Wolverine and destroyer division, 1910-12 (Coronation medal); in command Mine Sweeping Flotilla, June 1913.

Promoted to Captain in 1914, and in command of the Skipjack took part in the clearance of the German minefield off Scarborough in December 1914; the Admiralty Memorandum on these operations (London Gazette 19 February 1915) said:- ‘Commander (now Captain) L. G. Preston, “on the 19th December, proceeded at once into the middle of the area where the mines had exploded to give assistance to the damaged trawlers. He anchored between the trawlers and the mines which had been brought to the surface and proceeded to sink them.”

Preston was created a Companion of the Bath in January 1916, and decorated Officer of the Legion of Honour by the President of the French Republic (London Gazette 15 September 1916). He commanded the Grand Fleet Mine Sweeping Flotilla, 1914-17; Director of Mine Sweeping Division, Admiralty, 1917-19; in charge of the direction of the clearance of Mines in British areas after the war; in command of the Patrol, Mine Sweeping Training and Fishing Protection Flotilla, 1919-20; commanding officer R.N. Signal School, Portsmouth, 1920-22; in command of H.M.S. Eagle, 1923-25, the first through-deck aircraft carrier to join the Royal Navy; Rear-Admiral, 1925; Aide de Camp, 1925-26; in command Third Cruiser Squadron, 1926-28; Vice-Admiral, 1930; Fourth Sea Lord and Chief of Supplies and Transport, 1930-32; Commandant Imperial Defence College, 1933-34; Admiral, 1934; retired 1935. Recalled to service in September 1939 as Adviser on Mine Sweeping and was Director of the Small Vessels Pool, 1940-45, thus taking charge of the provision of small craft for the Dunkirk evacuation operations. He reverted to the retired list at the end of the war. In retirement he lived in Dunstable and became Chairman of Titanine Limited, a business specialising in aircraft finishes. Admiral Sir Lionel Preston died on 21 September 1971.

Sold with a photocopied portrait photograph. See Lot 348 for the K.C.B. insignia awarded to Admiral Preston, Lot 450 for his miniature medals, and Lots 404 and 894 for related family medals.