PREECE, Richard

Richard Preece died on 25th April 1919 and was the next to last soldier from Stourbridge to die in consequence of the Great War. He was aged 19 and the son of Thomas and Amelia Preece of 84 Hagley Road, Oldswinford. He attended Oldswinford C of E School and enlisted on 7th September 1916 in the artillery. He served with the 320th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and was seriously wounded. His injuries were so serious that he was discharged on the 20th February 1918 and returned home to Oldswinford. His wounds, however, remained serious and he died at home on the 25th April 1919. He was buried in Oldswinford churchyard and The County Express recorded the details of the military funeral with the coffin draped with the Union Jack and borne by six of his old comrade. A party from Stourbridge Grammar School fired three shots over the grave. His name is commemorated on the Oldswinford, Stourbridge and Stourbridge Methodist church Memorials. Although he had attended Oldswinford C of E School, his name was not recorded on the school memorial, which is dated 1914-18.