28667 Lance Corporal Francis George Preece - 13th Gloucestershire Regt

[PyroraptorOlympius1945]

Francis George Preece is my 3x great uncle, brother to my great great grandfather Leonard Dennis Preece of the 6th Worcesters. He was awarded a D.C.M for gallantry in March 1918. His citation is below - he died of wounds on March 22nd 1918 and is commemorated in Pozieres British Cemetery. He had 5 children, and of these 5 was Francis Jr, who died in 1943. 

[Mark1959]

Looking at the annotated version of the DCM register. He received the DCM for his actions on 4/2/18 at "Gravel Farm". The London Gazette entry shows with 14th Battalion Glos. They were disbanded a week later and some men sent to 13th, Preece is specifically mentioned in the 14th War Diary  as being responsible for the Bangalore torpedoes. Gravel Farm is in the Langemarck sector just north of Ypres. Medal roll shows 14th prviously 1st. Not had time to look further