Warden of the Carpenters Company in 1956. Andrew Behan has researched this man:
Commander Alan Westbury Preston was born on 11 July 1898 in Wedderburn House, Wedderburn Road, Hampstead, the son of Harry Westbury Preston and Adelaide Preston née Ramsden. His father was a solicitor. The 1901 census has the family residing at Flat No.3 Wedderburn House. The 1911 census shows that the family had moved to 6 Lindfield Road, Hampstead and he was still there in 1918 according to electoral registers. He joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman on 3 February 1917 and made a Sub-Lieutenant on 15 June 1918. He was presented with the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal whilst serving on board H.M.S Conquest.
On 4 November 1919 he was admitted through patrimony to the Freedom of the City of London in the Company of Carpenters. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 15 May 1920. In 1926 he married Catherine Mary Farnell in Lewisham. He left the Royal Navy active list holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander on 15 May 1928. He joined his father as a partner in the solicitor company of Westbury Preston and Stavridi that had premises at 12 Devonshire Square, London, EC2 and 14 Station Road, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. By 1930 he was living at Neville Lodge, Astons Road, Moor Park, Northwood, Middlesex and by 1941 his company were acting as Solicitors to the Worshipful Company of Carpenters.
From 12 May 1942 to 28 May 1943 he was the Lt. Commander of the H39 destroyer H.M.S Skate and from 30 May 1943 to 20 March 1945 the Lt. Commander of the L36/U36 sloop H.M.S. Leith. He retired from the Royal Navy, holding the rank of Commander on 3 September 1945. By 1957 he was living at Firstead Bank, High Hurstwood, Uckfield, East Sussex. He became the Master of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters for their 1958 year. Probate records show that he died on 27 June 1988, aged 89 years, at West Dalling, Rocks Lane, High Hurstwood, Uckfield. His effects totalled £55,557.00. He was survived by his widow who also died there a year later on 31 July 1989. Her effects totalled £580,737.00
