| Date of birth | 30 March 1917 |
| Date of death | 04 September 1942 |
| Mothers name | Florence Amelia Emmeline (née Dawson) |
| Spouses name | Unmarried |
| Mothers place of birth | New Zealand |
| Fathers name | William Preston |
| Fathers place of birth | Australia |
| Siblings | , , , , |
| Children | , , , , |
| Cause of death | Died of wounds |
| Buried where | El Alamein War Cemetery. XXXII. E. 14 |
| Places of relevance | , , , , |
| Last known residence | Coley St, Foxton |
| Awards | 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, War Medal 1939-45, NZ War Service Medal |
| Place of birth | Taihape, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Poultry Farmer |
| Place of death | Western Desert |
| Theatres of war | Middle East |
| Surname | PRESTON |
| War memorial | Foxton |
| Place enlisted | Palmerston North |
| Christian names | William Ralph |
| School | St Mary's Foxton |
| Wars | WW 11 |
| Service number | 44039 |
| Date enlisted | 16 April 1941 |
| Final rank | Private |
| Regiment or service | 18th Bn NZ Infantry |
| User reference | 1.30 |
Mother lived: Queen St, Upper Hutt then Stanley St, Eketahuna
Father lived: Coley St, Foxton.
NOK: Mrs F Preston, Queen St, Lower Hutt
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