Lance Serjeant Walter Riley
| Date of Birth | c. 1891 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 25 |
| Date of Death | 14 July 1916 |
| Service Number | 9449 |
| Military Service | 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment |
| Merton Address | 1 Seaton Road, Mitcham |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Born in Mitcham in 1891, Walter was the son of Maurice and Susannah Riley. By 1901 the family were living at 2 Railway Cottages, Commonside East, Mitcham. Maurice was employed as a Navvy/Labourer. Walter was aged 10, and his brothers were William 16 who was employed as a Caddy at the Golf Links, Thomas 12 and Dennis aged 6 years. Two elder brothers - James and John had since left home.
The 1911 Census shows that the family had moved to 62 Sibthorpe Road, Mitcham, and by 1917 to 1 Seaton Road, Mitcham.
Walter was not on the family’s 1911 census as he was on the census for Salamanca Barracks, Aldershot. Walter had attested at Kingston on Thames as a Private with the 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment on 14 April 1910, at the age of 20 years 9 months. He was recorded as being 5 ft 11 inches in height (which was tall for men of that time), weighing 138 lbs with blue eyes and brown hair. He had been employed as a Groundsman, probably working at the Golf Club where his brother had been a Caddy.
During World War 1, Walter transferred to the 8th Battalion, which was formed in 1914 as part of Kitchener’s Army. On 9 September 1915 they landed at Boulogne. The brigade would have seen action in the Battle of Loos (25 September – 8 October 1915) and later during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Walter had meanwhile been promoted to Lance Serjeant.
The Battle of Bazentin Ridge was fought on the Somme between 14-17 July 1916 where the objective was to take the villages of Bazentin le Petit, and Longueval. This action was mostly successful, but sadly Walter was killed in action on the first day.
He was originally interred as an Unknown Soldier, but was later identified by his uniform, boots and titles (probably by his shoulder badge). Records also describe him as a “very big man”. His grave is in the London Cemetery & Extension, Longueval, Somme, France.
Walter is also commemorated locally on the Mitcham War Memorial. His father Maurice received his last pay of £6.4.11 plus the War Gratuity of £12.00.
Walter's brother William was also killed in action later in the War. His story is also included in the Carved in Stone website.