Lionel Preston was educated at Stubbington House School and joined the Royal Navy as a cadet aboard HMS Prince of Wales in 1888.
[2] After the war Preston was in charge of the clearance of mines in British waters and then, from 1919, commanded patrol, minesweeping training and fishing protection flotilla.
[2] He was made Commandant of the Imperial Defence College in 1933 and, after being promoted to full admiral on 1 March 1934,[5] he retired in 1935.
[2] In a "War Commentary" broadcast by the BBC he made reference to "the futile years" when the United Kingdom supported the League of Nations as a basis for its foreign policy.
[2] In retirement Preston became Chairman of Titanine Limited, a business specialising in aircraft finishes.