Name
Edward Riley
5 October 1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/05/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
76837
Royal Garrison Artillery
166th Heavy Bty.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HURSLEY (ALL SAINTS) CHURCH CEMETERY
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Langleybury Village Memorial, Hunton Bridge,
Pre War
Edward Riley was born on 5 October 1880 in Hunton Bridge, Hertfordshire, the son of Edward and Louisa Riley, and one of seven children. He was baptised on 26 December 1880 at St Paul's Langleybury, Herts.
On the 1881 Census the family were living at Flitt Yard, Hunton Bridge, Abbots Langley where his father was working as a general labourer. By 1891 they had moved to Gallows Hill, Abbots Langley. His mother died in 1899 and his father in 1902.
He married Elizabeth Stewart on 14 July 1900 at St Paul's Church, Langleybury and their son George was born on 3 November 1912 at Wavertree, Liverpool.
In 1911 he was recorded on the habitual criminals register serving a 12 month prison sentence for larceny in Wandsworth prison with his occupation given as a sailor who worked as a stoker.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Liverpool on 22 March 1915 and was then living at 5 Byron Street, Garston, Liverpool, and working as a farmer. He was posted to the Royal Field Artillery but discharged shortly afterwards on 13 May 1915 as "!not likely to become an efficient solder" for medical reasons. However, he must have re-enlisted at a later date and served as a Gunner with the 166th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, as he died on 10 May 1916, aged 34, at Hursley Military Hospital, from pneumonia contracted on active service.
Edward was buried on 15 May 1916 at All Saints Churchyard, Hursley, Winchester, Hampshire.
Additional Information
A war gratuity was not payable to his widow because of "insufficient service", but she did receive pay owing of £5 12s 5d and a pension of 17s 6d a week for herself and their child George, who was born on 3 November 1912.
His widow Elizabeth later lived at 45 Clifton Street, Garston, Liverpool (shown on pension records).
N.B. Edward Riley's name was one of three added to the Langleybury Memorial in 2019.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
