154
Chronology by Robert Preston
1942
1st January, I was born in Skipton, Yorkshire, to Kathleen Mary Preston (Nee Butler) of Blackheath, London and John Preston’s son of Maria Preston (Nee Butler) of Blackheath, London & John Preston son of Maria Preston (nee Marjuka Dans) of Galicia, Spain and Forrest Preston of Inverness, Scotland. Mother was evacuated from London during the ‘Blitz’ with her sister. 1944
Again, evacuated from London due to illness and shock following a ‘V2’ rocket attack and resulting damage to the family home: this time to Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire with my mother, aunt and cousin Ann.
1949
First visits to galleries and museums with my mother during summer holidays. First family holiday at Birchington-on-Sea, Kent. 1953-54
Secondary school, first at Forest Hill Central; introduced to formal studies in art and music. Given a box of watercolours and began painting at home. A wonderful school to which I was well suited. Met Francesca Longchamps at Birchington-on-Sea. 1955
Return of my father from the Royal Navy.
Won a scholarship to Haberdashers’ Aske’s, Hatcham London. A dry, boring institution, where the masters floated around in their academic robes like flocks of crows. Began learning to play the guitar.
1947
1958-59
1946
Attended Kelvin Grove primary school, South East London.
First visit to France, with Francesca Longchamps. Left school, drifting from job to job; from office work to labouring before enlisting in the ‘Royal Army Ordnance Corps.’
1960
Began military service in January. Began training in the freezing winter of 59-60 at Blackdown, Surrey. Sent to Cambridge hospital, Aldershot as the result of an influenza epidemic which swept through the entire camp. Sent to Bramley to train as an ammunition examiner/store man. 1961-64
Served in various munitions depots at home and overseas during without time I learnt the value of developing a good visual memory. 1964
Francesca Longchamps passed away. Set about raising the level of my general education and building a portfolio of work as a prelude to applying for a place at college of art. My brother Ilric was already enrolled at Goldsmiths Collage of Art where he had met and later introduced me to artists John Mansbridge, Betty Swanwick and the botanical illustrator John Norris-Wood whose studios we visited and whose influence was of great and enduring import. He and I also studied drawing part-time with
