Edward became an artist and designed medals, including the bronze WW1 Next of Kin Memorial Plaque and the Distinguished Flying Cross. His innovative ‘Plychrome’ sculptures were made to support the rehabilitation of those who had been disabled in active service.
In 1911, Edward married Marie Smith in Liverpool. Marie’s brother was the sculptor Herbert Tyson Smith (1883–1972), who served in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War and designed sculptures in the Liverpool and Merseyside area, in particular war memorials.
Edward and Marie’s daughter Julia Carter Preston (26 January 1926 – 6 January 2012) – became a potter.
During the First World Wara, Edward designed this memorial plaque*
A major commission for Edward began in 1931, when the architect Giles Gilbert Scott asked him to produce a series of sculptures for the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. The project was an immense undertaking which occupied the artist for the next thirty years. The work for the cathedral included fifty sculptures, ten memorials and several reliefs. Edward also exhibited works at the Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition 1938.
* In late 1917, with direct input from King George V, it was decided that in addition to the respective campaign service medals awarded to all participants, the official next of kin of a serviceman or woman who gave their life should receive another more specific token of appreciation. This was a big call, because it is impossible to thank the individual concerned, and nothing can make up for the loss of a loved one to their family.
The conclusion was that a bronze Memorial Plaque should be issued and a national competition was held to find the most suitable design. There were more than 800 entries to the competition from within the United Kingdom, from countries in the British Empire and from the theatres of war. The panel of judges, included Directors of the London National Gallery and the Director and Keeper of the Department of Coins and Medals of the Victoria and Albert Museum. They selected the design by Edward Carter Preston. In all, approximately 1.3 million Memorial Plaques were issued to the families of men who died, and 600 issued to the families of the women.
A decision was made that the Memorial Plaque should be accompanied by a commemorative scroll and the organising committee sought advice on the wording from several well-known authors. Dr Montague Rhodes James (author M.R. James - 1862 - 1936), who was Provost of King’s College, Cambridge at the time, provided a draft which, with a few small amendments, was selected to appear on the scroll. The text was beneath the Royal coat of arms and above the name of the honouree - which was handwritten in red at the bottom.
Sources: Find my Past, Free BMD, Wikipedia and
https://specialcollections-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk/?p=12771
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Plaque_(medallion)
https://www.artinliverpool.com/venues-archives/hope-university-archive/liverpool-hope-university-edward-carter-preston-the-great-war/
https://www.artinliverpool.com/features/reviews/debbie-lang-interviews-susan-breck-about-edwards-carter-prestons-intimate-retrospective-in-the-cornerstone/
