William Hamilton Preston (Staff Sergeant Major) Reg. #15158

Bill was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan on August 14, 1927. He enlisted with the RCMP at the age of 21 on May 19, 1948. His first posting was to Rosetown, then onto many more transfers throughout the province. He married his sweetheart from Swift Current, Dorothy Isabelle Brasnett, on July 4, 1953, while he was stationed in Kamsack, where their first son, William Scott Preston, was born on May 29, 1954. When the family was transferred to Rosthern that same year, he was made "Constable In Charge” and then 2 years on, promoted to Corporal on November 1, 1956. While in Rosthern, three daughters were born, Janet May (August 15, 1955), Karen Lynn (December 19, 1956), and Donna Lee (May 30, 1959).

He accepted the next transfer to Prince Albert in 1959, however, was not there long before being transferred to Isle-a-la-Crosse, and made In
Charge of that detachment. He served there from 1960 to 1962, where Catherine Maureen was born (May 27, 1961). In 1962, the family was transferred to Regina (Training Section) and Bill was promoted to Sergeant in 1963. That same year, a sixth child was born, Robert Colin Maxwell Preston (March 18, 1963), and a promotion to Staff Sergeant, Section NCO, on May 1, 1964. Just one short year later, Bill was transferred back to Prince Albert as Section NCO and while there, Heather Wynn was born on May 1, 1971. Bill and Dorothy were now the proud parents of seven children and life was full.

Bill’s final promotion was to Staff Sergeant Major on October 1, 1971, and a subsequent transfer to Regina where he remained until his retirement on November 20, 1973, after 27 years of service, all served in “F” Division, in the Province of Saskatchewan. He received a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (LSM) May 18, 1968, and a 25 year bronze clasp and star for LSM May 18, 1973.

CAREER SUMMARY:

May 19, 1948 engaged as a Reserve Special Constable. DEPOT;   July 13, 1948 DISCHARGED
July 14, 1948 engaged as a Regular Member (3/Cst. - transferred September 14, 1948 to Ottawa N Division to complete training)
F Division Saskatoon GD December 21, 1948
F Division Rosetown GD January 10, 1949
F Division Biggar GD January 25, 1949
F Division Regina HQ Liquor Squad June 30, 1949
July 1, 1949 promoted (2/Cst)
F Division Yorkton GD September 20, 1949
July 1, 1950 promoted Constable
F Division Rose Valley temporary in charge September 4, 1950
F Division Pelly GD October 2, 1950
F Division Yorkton GD October 18, 1950
F Division Melville GD October 20, 1950
F Division Yorkton Municipal GD September 10, 1951
F Division Pelly GD January 2, 1952
F Division Yorkton Municipal GD February 23, 1952
F Division Canora GD February 25, 1952
F Division Rose Valley temporary in charge November 25, 1952
F Division Yorkton Rural GD December 28, 1952
F Division Melville GD February 10, 1953
F Division Kamsack GD February 25, 1953
F Division Rosthern in Charge September 30, 1954
November 1, 1956 promoted to Corporal
F Division Prince Albert GD June 11, 1959
F Division Rosthern in Charge June 29, 1959
F Division Prince Albert GD July 16, 1959
F Division Ile a la Crosse in Charge June 17, 1960
F Division Regina Training Section second in charge(2ic) June 30, 1962
May 1, 1963 promoted to Sergeant
May 1, 1964 promoted to Staff Sergeant
F Division Regina Sub Division Section NCO (NORTH) June 29, 1964
F Division Prince Albert Sub Division Section NCO (SOUTH) July 31, 1965
F Division Prince Albert Sub Division Sub Division NCO December 29, 1965
Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (LSM) May 18, 1968
F Division Regina HQ Chief Reader (now it is the called senior CROPS Reviewer)
August 29, 1971
October 1, 1971 promoted to Staff Sergeant Major
25 year bronze clasp and star for LSM May 18, 1973
November 20, 1973 Retired to PENSION

Bill has three grandsons serving in the RCMP: Cst. Justin Preston, Reg. #68647; Cst. Matthew Plenert, Reg. #68413, and Cst. Eric Althuizen, Reg. #59421. (No photo available for Cst. Eric Althuizen).
His granddaughter, Marisa Althuizen, serves with the RCMP as a PE-04, Sr. Organization and Classification Advisor. (No photo available.)
One daughter, Catherine Bachand is also a retired Civilian Member, E. Division, Surrey, BC. (No photo available.)