Preece

[mainlanders]

 This mystery photo , named Charles W. Preece , came from New Zealand , Photographer - Mitchell.       Has a  swastika symbol embossed on photographers card-folder that holds the photo(1918)?                                                                              Who is this person? date? plane?

[Girl Guide]

I wonder if he was Charles William Preece born 9 June 1898 in Manzaboke? New Zealand.  He appears to have joined the RAF on 5 December 1918.

He was a chauffeur at the time of joining.  Father was stated to be James Preece of Waihoo? Downs, South Island, New Zealand.

This record is on Find My Past as a transcription and an image.

[trish1120]

Extra info on Anc;
Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificates, 1910-1950

Charles W Preece
Certificate taken on a Caudron Biplane
Canterbury Flying School , Christchurch 10 Aug 1918

The same photo is attached + 3 others who graduated same day

So looks like graduation or ID photo.

Trish

[mainlanders]

Thankyou     Girl Guide and trish1120 ,    you've found Him , you're amazing.

[Girl Guide]

Charles died in 1961, his record is on the NZ BMD website - ref. no. 1961/25665

There is a probate record for him on Family Search

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXZH-5X8

For some reason his birth record does not appear on the NZ BMD website.  I don't know whether he wasn't registered for some reason or whether his surname was incorrectly listed.

[trish1120]

With a bit of googling I found this;

https://museum.timaru.govt.nz/explore/scroll/profile?id=4599

Douglas James Preece was the eldest son of James and Maria Leah (née Eagle) Preece. The family had moved from Taranaki to Waihao Downs some time prior to World War One. Douglas married Ella Brundell in 1929. She survived him by some thirty years.


1896/16232 Preece   James Douglas Parents Maria Leah/James

Trish

[trish1120]

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178640367/maria-leah-preece

[Girl Guide]

I wondered if James and Maria were the parents as James is stated as being Charles's father.  As Douglas was born before Charles one would have thought Charles' birth would be there. So don't know why it isn't.

Added: Eric seems to be one of James & Maria's children born 1900.  No sign at all of Charles who would be in between Douglas and Eric.