Top Left: This is a pic of Will Preest and his wife Mary Louisa (nee Henderson) in their garden at Bowson Square, Bream.

Top right: This is a pic of Anna Maria Preest (nee Hooper) and her son Will Preest outside their cottage in Bowson Sq.

Bottom photo: Sgt Sam Dilwyn John Jenkyns (1919 - 1940) of Bream. He was the son of Thomas Ayron Jenkyns and Louisa Jenkyns (nee Preest). He died in Egypt on 29 Dec 1940.

Colin Henderson added: "... Mary Preest was my Grandfather's sister, Her husband Will ('Sharper') Preest was a very tall man. I remember them both very well".

"My great grandmother was a Louisa Holbrook. Her mother was Emily Jane Preest born about 1842 we think, in or around Elburton (Aylburton?). Emily's mother's name is not known her father was Isaac Preest. Louisa lived in Pill, North Somerset where we all still live. I have drawn a blank trying to trace my Preest family but would be very proud to have connections with the Lydney area which I find fascinating. Sorry not to be of much use to anyone but if a connection can be made by anyone I would love to be informed please. Best wishes. Lou Dixey" --- if you can help please click below

Coiln Kear added (June 2016): "... looking for information regarding Mary Preest who married Thomas Henry Kear, who would be my great grandfather His son moved to Castleford West Yorkshire in1914 approx. P.S. they lived in Bream Eaves". -- again if you can help please click below

John Donahue added (October 2017): "...My G Grandfather was James Preest born in 1838. He married Ann Beach born in 1836. Their children were Sarah b.1859, William b. 1862, Fred b.1864, Sid b.1868, Richard b. 1872 (My Grandfather) and Arnold b. 1877. They sailed for US in 1880 and settled in Ohio. Hope this helps John".

Brian Neale added (September 2023): "... I had a uncle whose surname was Preest, his first name was Jack and his wife's name was Kate but they Lived in Sling which is not far from Breem or Bream? My mother told me that she used to walk to Breem when she stayed with my father her husband's relations on his mothers side of the family. I knew Sling well as we visited Sling regularly to stay for a day with my fathers relations in Sling and I l ioved the.forest accent when they talked. Lovely memories".

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