Sergeant Walter Cecil RILEY (1881-1915).

NZEF Service # 12/2451; Auckland Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 5th Reinforcements, NZEF.

Born 16 December 1881 - at Collingwood, Tasman District, Nelson Region, South Island, New Zealand. Walter was the son of William & Susan Riley - of Nelson, New Zealand.

Walter Riley was the brother of Lieutenant Harry Bolton RILEY (1875-1916) : NZEF Service #7/1801, of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, NZEF. Lieutenant Harry Riley was killed in action - on 2 October 1916 - at the Somme, Armentieres, France (aged 41 years).

Prior to enlistment for war service Walter Riley was employed as a Salesman - at Ponsonby, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand.

Walter Riley enlisted for war service - on 12 January 1915 - at Trentham Military Training Camp, Wellington Region, North Island, New Zealand. He was 33 years of age. At enlistment Walter Riley was posted as a Private with the Auckland Infantry Regiment, 5th Reinforcements, NZEF.

On 13 June 1915 Private Walter Riley left New Zealand for overseas war service - with the 5th Reinforcements NZEF - aboard HMNZ Transport Ship 'T24 'Maunganui' - from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.

Six weeks later - on 24 July 1915 - Private Riley disembarked - from his transport ship from New Zealand - at Suez, Egypt.

Private Riley served at Egypt (1915) & Gallipoli (1915).

At Gallipoli Private Riley was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, Auckland Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, NZEF.

Sergeant Riley served at Gallipoli - with the ANZAC forces - until he was killed in action - on 8 August 1915 - at Chunuk Bair, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was 33 years of age.

Sergeant Walter Riley has no known grave at Gallipoli - but he is remembered on the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial to the Missing, Chunuk Bair Cemetery, Gallipoli (Panel ref : 9).

Sergeant Walter Riley - and his older brother Lieutenant Harry B. Riley - are also remembered at their hometown in New Zealand - on the Collingwood District War Memorial, Collingwood, Tasman District, South Island, New Zealand.

For the military records of Sergeant Walter C. Riley - and his brother Lieutenant Harry B.  Riley - refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph : www.aucklandmuseum.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenifer Everett