Wilfred Riley
Private 812000 - Canadian Infantry
28th Battalion
Enlisted: Canada April 1916
Killed in Action 8th Nov 1917 : Aged 19
LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY XXII. AA. 15.
Huthwaite Online WW1 Remembrance
Private 812000 Wilfred Riley was born in Huthwaite on 21st April 1898. Parents 1881 Q1 marriage between coal miner Mr Peter Riley from Pinxton and a Miss Paulina Tagg, can trace strongest Hucknall Huthwaite connection from his mothers birthplace.
Newlyweds initially shared husbands family home before claiming their own 22 Kirkstead address for 1891 Pinxton census listing birthplace for 3 sons. Mrs Paulina Riley continued to mother a larger Hucknall Huthwaite born family defying common infant mortality, when fullest listing of a George Street household is headed 1901 by Peter Riley 44, wife Paulina 43, Joseph Percy 18, John M 14, Leonard 13, Beatrice 9, Alfred Henry 7, Elsie M 4, Wilfred 2, Clariss 1, Frank 5 months.
Emigration to Canada is next evident from 1911 Edmonton census in Alberta. Peter 53 and wife Paulina 52 are accompanied by John 25, Alfred 17, Elisie 14, Wilfred 13, Clariss 11 and Ernest 10. Their Canadian citizenship furthermore traces a 1916 census showing Peter and Paulina working their own Edmonton farmland, assisted by remaining sons John 30, Harry 22 and Wilfred 18.
Private 812000 Wilfred Riley enlisted into the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. He'd been working as a Hardware Clerk when announcing intention to gain parents sad permission 2 months before his 18 birthday. Mobilisation aboard S.S. Olympic landed him in England 30th August 1916, to be then shipped into active army service among the West Flanders frontline. A fatal shrapnel wound officially recorded Killed in Action, swiftly given military Belgium cemetery burial honoured by commemoration.
Living relatives extend Huthwaite remembrance, noting Wilfred Riley felt closest connection with his younger brother Frank, although his gentle personality was liked by everyone who knew him. 
Sons inherit fair hair and blue eyes resembling father Peter. Mother Paulina is recounted crying with sadness hearing Wilfred intended to join the army. Distressing news of his death details shrapnel wounding to right leg that registered killed in battle action.
Family members also identified one elder brother served the Canadian Infantry. This additionally presents WW1 veteran Pte Alfred Henry Riley, acknowledging Huthwaite birth and schooling did keep some ancestral ties.
11 Nov 18 by Gary Elliott Updated 17 Nov 18