Fred Riley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Fred was born on 24th October 1891 at Sturton Le Steeple and was the son of John a groom and Sarah Jane Riley, (nee May ) of High St., Gringley-on-the-Hill, Notts. John and Sarah had a large family consisting of 6 boys and 2 girls. In 1901 the family lived at High Street, Gringley, Fred is 9 years of age and a scholar. By the 1911 census Fred has left home and can be found as a boarder at 15-17 Cold Bath Road, Harrogate living with the Smith family, he is 19 years of age and a grocers assistant.
Fred's service records survives. He enlisted at Darlington on 20th January 1915; he gave his age as 23 years and 3 months and his occupation as that of grocer. He was trained and on the home front until 5th December 1915 when he went out and joined the Egyptian Expeditionary Force where he remained until 5th March 1916, he was then sent to France. His record notes that he was wounded on 15th August 1916 while in France with a gun shot wound to his right arm. He returned to England and made a full recovery and once again returned to the front. In France in 1917 he was again wounded by a gun shot wound to the head and was taken to the 2nd Canadian Casualty clearing station however on this occasion he died on 13th March 1917. At the time of his death he was serving with D Company 20th Bn Durham Light Infantry. He had served for a total of 2 years 53 days. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery (grave ref XI.B.35A). On 6th August 1917 his father John received the following items recovered from his son at the time of his death : - Disc ,Letters, Photos ,Note Book ,Belt, Cap badge, Pearl Crucifix on chain ,Message, Tin containing cigarettes, Linen bag and a silver coin.
Inscription family headstone, Gringley on the Hill cemetery: 'In loving memory of John Riley died Sep 6th 1929 aged 84. Also Sarah Jane his beloved wife, died Feb 19th 1934 aged 85. Also Fred Riley, their beloved son, died of wounds Mar 13th 1917 aged 25. Interred Lijssenthock Military Cemetery, Belgium. Until we meet again.' Source, ‘Gringley a Tribute to the 24 ‘ published July 2014 by the Gringley History Club. www.gohistory.org.uk (Courtesy of Alan Hickman)
