| Admin_History | Fr Herbert Joseph Preston was born in London on 10 June 1897. He was the sixth member of a family of nine children, including his younger brother Fr Francis 'Frank' Preston, SJ. He was nicknamed 'Fr Bert' or 'Berty' during his time at St Ignatius' College, and was a regular altar server at the Church of St Mary and St Michael, Commercial Road. In 1914 he joined the Novitiate at Roehampton, and after ending his Noviceship he was sent to St Francis Xavier's College in Liverpool. He then started a Philosophy course at St Mary's Hall. In 1926 he was a pioneer member of Heythrop College, starting his Theology course, and he was ordained to the priesthood in 1929. In 1931 he sailed to Africa to spend the rest of his life there. He spent twenty years at St Aidan's as Minister. He had two serious operations towards the end of his life, and it was revealed that he had lung cancer. He died in hospital on 13 October 1969. |