Frederick James Riley from Accrington Lancashire was the son of William Edward Riley who married Elizabeth Tarran of Buckley at St. Matthews Buckley 13 November 1890. William Edward was 24, a mason from Accrington. Elizabeth was 22. Frederick James was remembered on the Tarran family grave at St. Matthew’s.

Elizabeth Tarran was born in Buckley in 1868 the daughter of Joseph and Eunice Tarran of The Mountain. Brothers and sisters included Sarah, Christopher, Amos, Joseph, Elizabeth, Esther, George, Ada and William. In 1891 she was Elizabeth E. Riley, 22, married to William E. Riley, a monumental mason, living at Holden St. Accrington. By 1901 the family includes Frederick James 9, and Annie Ada 7. Father William Edward is now a commercial traveler. Elizabeth is listed as 29 and so has lost 3 years. By 1911 Elizabeth, 39 and a laundry proprietor, is at Gooden St, Heywood with Fred, 19 – a van man, and Annie 17. Annie Ada Riley of Gooden St. Heywood was buried at St. Matthew’s Buckley in 1911.

William Edward Riley has not been not found in the 1911 census. The author has also not found and record for Elizabeth after 1911 other than she is named on the listing of Frederick James’ soldier’s effects. From her son’s CWGC commemoration it appears that Elizabeth and Frederick emigrated to Transvaal, South Africa and that she married someone named Pope.

Frederick James Riley was killed at the Battle of The Menin Road as private in the South African Infantry. His war gratuity of 8 pounds 10 shillings was paid in 1919 to his aunt Mrs. Ella Dixon – his father’s sister, Ella Riley who had married Hargreaves Dixon in 1900. An entry in his soldier’s effects in 1922 makes a payment of a little over 3 pounds to his mother.