At Minden House, Pontefract today 31 January 2023 at the Trustees meeting Brigadier (Retd) Roger Preston CBE stood down as a trustee of the Rifles, Light Infantry and KOYLI Association and the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Association Trust.
Roger has been a stalwart of the association and the patriarch of the KOYLI. Highly respected by his fellow officers and the soldiers who served under his command. He was commissioned in 1955 in the the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was appointed Officer, Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) in 1979 and Commander, Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) in 1986. He was commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry from 1976 to 1979. He retired from the military in 1986, with the rank of Brigadier. He became President of the Association and Chairman of the association trustees. In 2010 Roger instigated the updating of the association policies and procedures not only for fully incorporating the Light Infantry into the original KOYLI Association but also writing in The Rifles into the association governing documents. Roger maintained a KOYLI newsletter to KOYLI retired officers around the world ensuring information about fellow retired officers was circulated and that details of regimental events were known. Roger passes on these responsibilities the Major (Retd) Andrew Penny, who served along side Roger in both the KOYLI and LI.
During today's trustees meeting Roger was thanked for his dedication to the KOYLI, the Association, and his wise council. The Minden House Buglers provided a fitting display of bugle skills ending with "Jockey to the Fair" the regimental march of The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
All members of the the association send their best wishes to Roger and Polly for the future. Cede Nullis.
