Alfred William Riches

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

270238

Unit at enlistment:

215th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

August 20th, 1918

Cemetery:

Fouquescourt British Cemetery - Somme, France - II.F.7.

Commemorated at:

Massey-Harris Memorial Plaque (Toronto)

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Norfolk

Birth city:

Great Yarmouth

Address at enlistment:

147 Cayuga Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

147 Cayuga Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Grinder

Employer:

Massey-Harris Co.

Religious denominations:

Salvation Army

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Circumstances of service: Killed

Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action. While his Battalion was holding the line North West of Hattencourt, he was killed by an enemy shell.

BX September 3, 1918

The sad intelligence was conveyed to Mrs. A.F. Riches, 166 Erie Avenue, that her husband, Private Alfred William Riches had been killed in action. Private Riches went overseas with the 215th Battalion and has been transferred to France where he served for some months. A wife and five children are left to mourn his great sacrifice.

BC October 8, 1918

Instantly Killed by German Shell – Private Alfred William Riches Met Death While Returning to Dug Out

Mrs. Riches has received the following particulars of the death in action of her husband, Pte. Alfred William Riches:

August 31st, 1918
France

To Mrs. Riches,

Dear Madam, I am sending a few lines relating to the fact of your husband's death, which as you no doubt already know, occurred on the 20th at 3.45 p.m.

First of all, I might say, he never knew his death, as it was instantaneous, poor Bill himself not knowing of it, as the shell burst right where he was, so I am sure that is one consolation to you, to know he did not suffer.

Bill and I had been talking together about the war, and of the loved ones we had left behind, and to whom we hoped to be soon reunited. Then the Hun commenced to shell us, and as it began to get very unpleasant, we both decided to go to the dugout. Well I got to the doorway, but Bill was 6 yards from it, when the shell burst, he and another fellow being killed instantly, I being partly buried and brought to my knees. After that we buried both of them and put a wooden cross on their graves. The stretcher bearer took all of Bill's effects, but I took charge of his watch to make sure of it reaching you, so will send it on to you as soon as possible, cannot say just when that will be, it may be soon, it may be later.

Although we have only just joined the battalion your husband was well liked, as he was a true, honest soldier, and we all regret his death very much. Our sympathies are extended to you and your family in your sad bereavement, and leave you in the keeping of one who is mightier than ourselves, so believe me,

Yours,

Pte. S.J. Tigwell