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World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment
Pte. Frank Riley
British Army 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
from:Burnley, Lancashire
(d.14th June 1918)
Frank Riley died of wounds as a Prisoner of War 14th June 1918, aged 19. He is buried in Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany. He was the son of William and Betsy Riley, of 28, Rawson St., Burnley, Lancashire.
Pte. Frank Riley
British Army 10th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
from:Burnley, Lancashire
(d.14th June 1918)
Frank Riley Died of Wounds as a Prisoner of War on 14th June 1918, aged 19. Buried in the Hamburg Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Germany, he was the son of William and Betsy Riley, of 28, Rawson St., Burnley, Lancashire.
Pte. George Henry Riley
British Army 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment
from:Brighton
(d.17th September 1918)
George Riley was my Grandfather. This is an embroidered cloth about 1 meter square. Dad's Nips refers to my mother and her brother. The image was probably taken from a photo carried by my grandfather and I was told that it was made by Turkish prisoners of war in Alexandria. I also have snakes covered with tiny glass beads which were obtained at the same time.
Having endured the horrors of the war in the Middle East I was told that my grandfather was picked off by a sniper while exercising the dogs in northern France less than two months short of the Armistice.
Pte. Gerald Riley
British Army 14th Hussars
from:Blackburn
Gerald Riley was my mother-in-law's Great Grandad. His parents came over from Ireland due to the Potato famine. He lived in Primrose Terrace, Mill Hill, Blackburn. His date of birth is thought to be 19th July 1896. Gerald attended St Peters RC. I have his British medal and his Victory medal from WW1.
Lt. Harold Riley MC.
British Army 250th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers.
from:Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Harold Riley enlisted in the Duke of Cornwalls L.I. on 2nd of Sept 1914. He had previously served in the London University O.T.C. and was awarded a BSc Hons (Engineering). On 24th of Sept 1914, he was promoted to Lance Sergeant and on 12th of Feb 1915 to Sergeant. He left the DCLI in France on selection for a commission and joined the RE on 21 Oct as Lieutenant in the 250th Tunnelling Company.
Harold was wounded on 20th 1917 and underwent an operation to his hand at the London General Hospital, Wandsworth. He rejoined his unit on 8th of Jan 1918. Harold was badly wounded on 21st of March 1918 when his company (now the 172 Tunnelling Company was occupying trenches near Flucquières. Harold was awarded the Military cross, gazetted on 1st Jan 1918.
On 6th of Dec 1918 his wounds were assessed to be permanent and he was awarded a war wound gratuity and pension. He left the army on 8 May 1919.
Harold Riley's full war history was researched in 2006 by Chris Wesley.
L/Cpl. Herbert Riley
British Army 12th Btn. South Wales Borderers
from:London
Pte. J. Riley
British Army 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment
(d.14th Jan 1919)
Private Riley died on the 14th January 1919 and is buried in the Amersfoort Roman Catholic Cemetery, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Gnr. James Riley
British Army Royal Field Artillery
from:Hebburn Colliery
(d.7th Jun 1918)
James Riley enlisted in Hebburn and served in the Royal Field Artillery. He died age 26 on the 17th June 1918 having served with the 5th Army Brigade. He is buried at Terlinthun Military Cemetery, Wimile which is on the outskirts of Boulogne, France. His medal card shows the award of War and Victory Medal with a note of his death.
James was born in Jarrow 1892, son of Arthur and Isabella Riley nee Miller. He was married to Isabella Riley nee Wilkinson of 24 Wood Street Hebburn Colliery. James came from a coal Mining family living at 24 Wood Street, Hebburn Colliery . In the 1911 Census his father Arthur(49) was a hewer, brothers John William(20) a putter, Robert(16) a driver and James himself(18) a shifter in the coal mine. Isabella(45) is his mother and has been married for 26 years. There were 12 children born of which 10 survived. 9 are living at home with 4 younger brothers of school age, Ralph(13), Arthur(11), Andrew(8) and Matthew(3). There are 2 daughters, Christina(22) who is married with 1 child (not listed on form) and Isabella who is 5 years old.
Able.Sea. James Hodgen Riley
Royal Navy HMS Viknor
from:Jarrow
(d.13th Jan 1915)
James Hodgen Riley was in the Naval reserve and a Fireman by profession. He was serving aboard HMS Viknor when she sank off Tory Island. There were no survivors from the crew when the vessel went missing on the 13th January 1915. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and the Plymouth Naval Memorial
James was born at Dinaport, India - son of Peter and Barbara Riley of Jarrow. He was married to Bridget Riley nee Callaghan of 7 Walter Street Jarrow. In the 1911 census he was living at 15 South Street, Jarrow with his mother Barbara (50), born in Ireland, married for 31 years. She had 6 children but only 3 survived. Her husband was not present at the time of the census. There are only two sons present, James Hodgen (23) a labourer fireman in the boiler works at the shipyard and David (16) apprentice angle iron smith at the shipyard.
Pte. Joseph Riley
British Army 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment
from:Burnley, Lancashire
(d.14th January 1919)
Joseph Riley died 14th January 1919 aged 27. He is buried in the Amersfoort Roman Catholic Cemetery in Holland, the only WW1 casualty buried in this cemetery.
Joseph went to camp with the Special Reserve in July 1914, and on the outbreak of war he was at once drafted into the Expeditionary Force, going out on December 30 of the same year. He was taken prisoner on 14th May 1915 and died in Holland on the 14th January 1919, whilst on his way home to England. He lived at 76 Helena Street, Burnley, Lancashire.
Pte. Joseph Riley
British Army 1st Btn. East Lancashire Regiment
from:76 Helena Street, Burnley, Lancashire.
(d.14th Jan 1919)
Joseph Riley went to camp with the Special Reserve in July 1914, and on the outbreak of war he was at once drafted into the Expeditionary Force, going out on December 30 of the same year. He was taken prisoner on 14th May 1915 and died in Holland on the 14th January 1919, while on his way home to England. He was aged 27 and is buried in the Amersfoort Roman Catholic Cemetery in Holland.
Pte. Lancelot Riley
British Army 1/4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment
from:Jarrow
(d.7th Nov 1917)
Lancelot Riley, enlisted at Jarrow and served in the 1st/4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. He died on the 7th November 1917, heis remembered at Jarrow Library and is buried in Mendingham Military Cemetery. His Medal Card records the award of the War and Victory Medals.
Lance was born in Jarrow 1894, son of Rebecca Riley nee Hall of 45 Beech Street Jarrow and the late Thomas Riley. In the 1911 census the family is living at that address with Rebecca (54) head of family, but still described as married (31 years), a Shopkeeper, having had 8 children of whom 7 survived but only 3 living at this address. Daughter Helena (20) single, is a dressmaker, Son Lancelot (16) is a clerk at Hebburn Colliery and younger daughter Florence is 12 years old.
Pte. Michael Riley
British Army 12th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment
from:Jarrow
(d.28th Mar 1916)
Michael Riley, Private 17339, enlisted at Jarrow and, after previous service in the East Yorkshire Regiment (Service No.15325), served in the 12th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in action age 20 on the 28th March 1916. He is remembered at Elzenwalle Brasserie Cemetery. VI.B.4. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he was killed in action.
Michael was born in Boldon 1896, son of Anthony and Catherine Riley nee Gilfoy of Jarrow. An Ancestry search of census records for 1911 shows the family living at Gillespies Building, Bolden Colliery, Durham with Catherine(43) a widow, described as a washerwoman. she had beeen married for 20 years having 10 children, 7 of whom survived. There are 5 children, all born in Boldon Colliery, recorded at this address, 3 sons and 2 daughters all of school age except Michael who is 15 and working as a screener coal miner above ground.
Pte. P. Riley
British Army 11th Btn. King's Liverpool Regiment
(d.29th March 1916)
Private Riley died on 29th March 1916 and is buried in Le Treport Military Cemetery, France, Plot 2, Row K, Grave 4.
L/Cpl. Percy Riley
British Army 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders
from:Northampton
(d.11th Apr 1917)
Percy Riley was gassed with mustard gas. He had a brother Corporal Alfred Riley who was killed in action on 19th of September 1918. Both brothers were from Herbert Street, Northampton. They were butchers by trade. Alfred was also in the South African war.
Cpl. Richard Riley
British Army 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry
Pte. Richard Riley
British Army 11th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment
from:Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
(d.22nd Jul 1917)
I've adopted this soldier by the project in Belgium "Coming World Remember Me". An art installation in Zillebeke near Ypres. 600,000 little statues were made by people. The statues represent the 600,000 casualties (dead and/or missing) on Belgian ground. Soldiers as well as civilians. Richard Riley is remembered with honour on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.
Lieutenant Corporal Samuel Riley Military Medal
Army 18th Division 80th Field Company Royal Engineers
My father, Samuel Riley was awarded his M. M. at Thiepval on the 26th of September 1916 for "Gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field" by Major General F. J. Maxse, Commanding Officer 18th Division at the battle of Thiepval. My Father was a L/Cpl. in the 80th Field Company Royal Engineers. He died some years ago and I have his medals. Like most of his colleagues he would not talk about his experiences. I would very much like to find out the reason for the award of his medal. Can anyone help?.
Pte. T. Riley
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
Capt. Thomas Riley
British Army 158th Bde. C Bty. Royal Field Artillery
from:Preston
(d.5th Aug 1916)
Thomas Riley was killed in action on the 5th of August 1916, aged 33 and is buried in the Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of Mrs. and the late Mr. Richard Riley, of Hambleton, Poulton-le-Fylde, Preston
Pte. Thomas William Riley
British Army 2nd Btn. Essex Regiment
from:36 Trafalgar Road, Beeston, Nottinghamshire
(d.2nd Sep 1918)
Thomas Riley was the son of Harriet and Frederick Riley, of 36 Trafalgar Road, Beeston, Nottinghamshire. He was killed in action aged 21 fighting in the Battle of Drocourt-Queant, and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.
Sgt. Thomas Riley
British Army 19th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
from:Vicarage Grove, Eccles
(d.24th Apr 1918)
My maternal grandfather Thomas Riley was born in Hunslet, Leeds in 1888. He volunteered in February 1915 in the Salford Pals. He was wounded at Loos, fought at the Somme, Ancre, Beaumont-Hammel, Arras, Messines and Passchendaele, and was wounded Ypres 1917 for which he was mentioned in despatches. He died at Kemmel Hill during the Battle of Lys leaving a widow, Maria, and three children, Norah, Margaret, Alfred.
His photograph is not in the Lancashire Fusiliers Museum, Bury - which is a mystery, thought to be due to him volunteering very quickly in Manchester and then allowed to transfer after finding that his friends joined later in Salford.
Pte. W. Riley
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Chester-leStreet
W Riley was discharged in 1919
Pte. William Riley
British Army 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry
from:Blaydon
(d.24th Sep 1918)
William Riley, Private 325774, enlisted at Newcastle and served in the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died on the 24th September 1918 and is remembered at Vis-en-Artois Memorial. Panel 9. His medal card records him as having previously served in the 9th Battalion Service No. 9/7417 also the award of the War and Victory Medals.
William was born in Jarrow 1888, son of John and Bridget Riley nee Ford of 56 Cuthbert Street, Blaydon. He was married to Alice Riley nee Murphy of 107 Edward Street, Blaydon. In the 1911 census the family was living at 57 Cuthbert Street, Blaydon with husband John (52) a joiner's labourer with the Co-op Wholesale Society, his wife Bridget(52) and two sons, William(22) and John(19), both single and both working as brick yard labourers in Brick-makers. There is also a 25 year old boarder employed in a chemical works.
Pte. William Arthur Riley
British Army 26th Battalion Royal Fusiliers
from:Finchly
(d.20th September 1917)
As a child I remember people talking in hushed tones about a relative who died in World War One, but never really understood who he was and what had happened to him. With the arrival of the centenary years I started thinking about him and wanted to find out more. I have managed to piece together quite a lot of his story but will continue searching for more information.
My Great Uncle Will Riley joined 26th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (Bankers Battalion) in July 1915 at the age of 29. A month after this his 26 year old wife died.
Will's service records were destroyed in WWII, but the Battalion's War Diary is available in the National Archives. In this I have been able to read about the battalions service in Flanders and at the Somme. What stands out is the privations, how rarely they got a bath, the excitement about getting clean underclothing and the weather, weeks of frozen snow, torrential rain. Their suffering is unimaginable.
For Will these privations ended on 20th of September 1917, at the Battle of Menin Road Ridge. He was killed in action that day. The entry in the war diary for this day is brief, unlike most entries almost as if the writer was in shock. It is as follows: "The Battalion took part in an attack on Tower Hamlets Ridge. Zero hour being 5/50am. Lt Col G. Mcnickel DSO died of wounds received in action.
- Total casualties Officers other ranks
- Killed 6 27
- Died of wounds 2 15
- Wounded 14 246
- Missing 4 45
L/Cpl. William Riley MM.
British Army 7th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment
from:16 Hampden St, Burnley Wood
(d.21st Dec 1917)
William Riley was my Great Uncle. He and his three brothers and a brother-in-law who served with the British Army in the Great War. I knew little about him beyond basic information until researching my ancestry beginning about 20 years ago. I descend from the oldest brother who immigrated in 1907. So those who knew William that I would have had access to, died many years ago. I recently found a clipping from the Burnley Express about him and that filled in much of the information that I know.
William joined the East Lancashire Regiment in Sept 1914. After training at Tidworth went to France in July 1915. He died on 21st of December 1917. Just days earlier, according to the article, "distinguished himself on the field, for which he has been awarded the Military Medal, but died without knowledge of his achievement. Lance-Corporal Riley was 36 years of age and a widower with two children." In a letter to his sister, my Great Aunt Annorah Abbott, a soldier who knew him said "He was sniped whilst at the head of a sap, and died two minutes after he was hit." He went on to say that William was well-liked and had proved to be a reliable NCO.
Prior to the war Uncle Bill was a coal miner at Towneley Pit along with most of his family. My other uncles included Sapper Thomas Riley, who was also awarded the Military Medal on 1st of July 1916, the same day that brother-in-law Nathan Abbott died at the Somme. Youngest brother Private Patrick Riley was at the time a member of the R.A.M.C. serving at Salonika.
Pte. James Henry "Jas" Rilley
British Army 18th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles
from:114 Mill Street, Newtownards, Co. Down
(d.14th Feb1918)
This is my great grandfather's story, he was 39 years old and was married with eight children, one of these children was my granny (Annie Rilley)
"Mrs. J. H. Rilley, 114 Mill Street, NewÂtownards, has received news, but so far non-official, of the death at the front of her husband, Private J. H. Rilley, of the 183rd Labour Company, who originally enlisted in May, 1916. On being transferred to the Labour Company he proceeded to the Front in March, 1917, with which comÂpany he was until he made the supreme sacrifice, leaving behind his wife and eight young children.
He was for three or four years before enlisting a labourer in the employment of Mr. Robt. M’Burney, Ballyhenry, Comber. His mother resides in Killyleagh. Rev. Roland H. Streatfield, C.F., writing to Mrs. J. H. Rilley states that on the morning of 15th February he received a message that the Labour Company had been shelled on the previous night, and several men hit, among whom was her husband. He was sure she would prefer to hear from him rather than have the news sent to her on a formal War Office notification. Her husband’s death was absolutely instanÂtaneous, so he never suffered at all. All his officers and comrades spoke highly of him, and I realise that the company has lost one of its best soldiers. He was buried in a quiet little cemetery with military honours, the Union Jack coverÂing him, and his comrades at the graveÂside sang “Abide with Me†and “Sun of my soul†as his remains were lowered to their last resting place,†which would be marked with a neat wooden cross, on which his name and date of death would be inscribed. He hoped to get the grave photographed later. He accorded his deepest sympathy with Mrs. Rilley and her children."
Captain H. E. Vivian Kynak also writes, telling Mrs. Rilley that her husband, Private J. H. Rilley (No. 109,545), of his company, was instantaneously killed by heavy shell fire. Private Rilley was very popular with all his comrades, and a brave and honest soldier. He asked Mrs. Rilley to accept his sincere sympathy, and requested her acceptance of a cheque. Lieutenant Edwin M. Kemp, of the same company, writes describing the deÂtails of Private Rilley’s death as above. In Private Rilley, he adds, they had an excellent and willing worker; in fact, one of the best, and his loss was keenly felt by all ranks. After expressing deep sympathy with Mrs. Rilley and family he concludes, “I assure you that his memory will always beheld sacred by all who knew him, for he lead a life to the full.
The Chronicle 23rd March 1918 page 5
For King and Country
Rilley. Killed in action on 14th February, 1918, Private James H. Rilley, 183rd Labour Company, dearly-beloved husband of Mary E. Rilley, 114 Mill Street, Newtownards. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing Wife and little Children
The Chronicle, 20th April, 1918 page 1.
Rflmn. John Rimell
British Army 18th Btn. London (Irish Rifles) Regiment
from:London
Pte. Henry Rimes
British Army 13th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment
from:Ditcheat, Somerset
(d.2nd May 1917)
Pte. Tom Rimington
British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
from:Gateshead
(d.1st July 1916)
Tom Rimington is named on the Thiepval Memorial
Page 23 of 51
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