Walter Preston

British, 1787 - 1820

BiographyWalter Preston arrived in the new colony of Port Jackson, New South Wales, in January 1812 after being convicted of 'felonious assault' (highway robbery) in 1811. Although originally sentenced to death, Preston was spared and transported for life to Australia. Not much is known of Preston up until this time but his skill as an engraver suggests this was his legitimate trade prior to his arrest and conviction.

On his arrival in 1812 aboard the GUILDFORD Preston was likely assigned to Abolam West, an emancipated brewer and printer. Preston's skills as an engraver were seen in 1813 when West published his well received 'Views of New South Wales'.

In January 1814 Preston was transferred to the penal colony at Newcastle after committing another crime. Here he lasted until December when he escaped in the company of known bushrangers Isaac Walker, John Lee and Thomas Desmond. All prisoners were captured however and returned to Newcastle where a new captain took over command in June 1816. Captain James Wallis turned out to be a bit of a blessing for Preston as Wallis was also an artist and had plans of publishing a book on New South Wales. Wallis had Preston engrave 12 of his paintings of local scenes around Newcastle and credited Preston for his efforts in the title of his book ‘An Historical Account of The Colony of New South Wales and its Dependent Settlements; in Illustration of Twelve Views, Engraved By W. Preston, a Convict, from Drawings Taken on the Spot' (London, 1821).

Captain Wallis left Australia to return to England in January 1819 and Preston was recommended for a pardon the same month. In 1821 Preston is recorded as being employed by Darcy Wentworth but he is lost in the records after that time.

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