Tributes as brave veteran dies at 87

Tributes have been paid to a former RAF veteran who set up an air cadets' squadron in the garage of his Black Country home.

Father-of-four Raymond Preston, aged 87, was buried at Stourbridge Cemetery yesterday. His family paid tribute to the veteran who "lived and breathed" the air force. Mr Preston of Lythwood Drive, Lakeside, Amblecote, was a signals officer flying in Halifax bombers.

He dedicated his life to spreading his passion for flying among youngsters.

He became commanding officer at Dudley's 347 Cadet Squadron before starting a cadet squadron in Kingswinford.

Mr Preston let 30 youngsters gather in his garage in Wall Heath before the Air Training Corps formally recognised the 2488 Squadron and built a hut in Standhills Road, which is still there.

His son Philip, aged 56, said his father had had a huge impact on the family – inspiring him to a career in the police and his brothers into the RAF and Royal Navy.

Two of Mr Preston's nine grandchildren have also recently started a career in uniform, joining the police.

Philip, who lives in France, said: "It was characteristic of my father, to see the need and get stuck in.

"He was a very disciplined man. Working with the Air Training Corps, with the young air cadets, was what kept him going. It gave him his drive.

"He was buried in his uniform, which is brilliant, and really special because he lived that life all his life.

"He lived, ate and breathed the RAF, and helping youngsters get involved in it."

Mr Preston was a Flight Lieutenant during the Second World War, flying 25 missions in various raids.

He married his wife Pat, now aged 85, in 1942 but the couple were together just two weeks before he was posted to India.

They were separated for two years before he returned and started work in the civil service.

Despite never owning a car, Mr Preston continued serving cadets by catching a bus twice a week to get to their headquarters, and invigilating in their exams, right up until his death.