Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
The War Diary entry for events from the 17th to the 21st March 1918 records. FRONT LINE, EPEHY. The Battalion moved into the front line on the night of March 17th, relieving the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. The enemy’s attitude still remained abnormal, and prisoners obtained by means of raids gave the date for the attack as the 21st or 22nd. Hostile patrols were seen or encountered in no mans land and the extraordinary inactivity of the hostile artillery was still maintained. The weather was extremely fine, and had been so for the previous week, under the warm and continued sunshine, the ground became very dry and firm, heavy ground mists were prevalent during the early mornings. At 1.00am on the morning of the 21st March, a patrol of 1 officer and 20 other ranks was sent out by “C” Company to obtain an identification. This patrol met with no opposition whatever and on his return the officer in charge was able to report that not a single German had been seen. At 4.30am the hostile shelling ended its long period of inactivity and commenced a heavy bombardment of the Divisional front and to the north and south, high explosive and large quantities of gas shell were used on the front line system, the village of EPEHY and the Batteries. Very heavy shelling of villages in our back areas also took place, and it quickly became evident that the artillery preparation for an attack on a large scale was in progress. The gas bombardment was particularly severe, mustard gas being used, all ranks were compelled to wear their box respirators for at least 3 hours. When daylight came just after 6.00am it was quite impossible to see the wire in front of the trenches on account of the thickness of the mist, a great disadvantage was thus experienced, the necessity for good observation being absolutely vital to the defenders. Towards 9.00am the hostile artillery lifted the greater part of the fire from our front line system, and placed a -?- barrage west of EPEHY on the Battery positions and all approaches. Telephone communications with two of the front line Companies “C” and “D” were still working and no enemy impending attack had been reported, the thick mist still continued and observation was impossible. During the preparatory bombardment very few casualties were sustained by the Battalion and all ranks were fully prepared for the appearance of the hostile infantry. At 9.30am the enemy infantry advanced to the attack, in accordance with the order to man battle stations the front line garrison had been withdrawn to the immediate support line, and the attack on the Battalion sector was everywhere repelled with heavy loss to the enemy. The enemy was content to hold for the line, our original front line, where he was subjected to a heavy and accurate rifle grenade and Lewis gun fire. Visibility still continued to be impossible and Forward Observation Officers were unable to inform their Batteries of the position of the hostile infantry or even give any clear idea of the situation. During the course of the morning the mist lifted slightly and at intervals strong forces of the enemy could be seen advancing towards ROHNSOY and LEMPIRE on our right. The 16th Division on our right were compelled to withdraw some distance to conform with the line on their right. Strong bombing attacks were made against our right flank held by “A” Company, on two occasions the enemy forced their way into “A” Company’s trenches, but were immediately ejected by vigorous counter bombing. Towards 1.00pm a lull occurred in the fighting on the Battalion front and meanwhile the mist had cleared. Large forces of the enemy could be seen moving west through ROHNSOY and LEMPIRE, and large concentrations of his infantry were seen massing in the valleys east of our front line and in the neighbourhood of VAUCELETTE FARM and VILLERS GUISLAIN. During the afternoon reports received showed that the enemy has broken through our defensive system on the right and were advancing rapidly, the enemy was everywhere held on the 110th Brigade front. Towards 5.00pm the enemy commenced to trench mortar the support line, the fire being heavy and accurate, and at 6.00pm a withdrawal was made to the RED LINE just east of EPEHY to conform with the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT on our left who had been driven out of their support line and to link up with the left Battalion of the 16th Division on our right. The night of March 21st/22nd March passed without any further attack on the front of the hostile infantry, but the enemy artillery displayed great activity during the night chiefly on the approaches to EPEHY and the back areas.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday May 3rd, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

It is reported that Lance-Corporal George Riley, of the Leicesters, has been killed in action on the 21st March last. He was one of the early volunteers from Ibstock to join Kitchener’s Army in September, 1914, and was 25 years of age. He was married last Christmas, and his wife now lives at Wigston. He has a brother who is a prisoner of war in Germany.

THANKS

The Wife, Mother and Father and Family of Lance-Corporal Riley, of Ibstock, killed in action on March 21st, desire to thank all kind friends for sympathy in the sad loss of a dear husband, son, and brother.

Coalville Times article - Friday May 10th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Mrs Riley, wife of Lance-Corporal Riley, Leicestershire Regiment, of Ibstock, has received a letter from Lieut. J. C. Farmer, who states that in answer to her enquiry, it is very sad news that he has to send her. Lance-Corporal Riley was hit on the morning of March 21st, and died shortly afterwards, though the doctor was present at the time and remained under heavy shell fire, doing all he could for him. He was hit in the neck by a piece of shell and was never conscious again, so that he died without pain. The letter continues, “It was such a great shock to me, as he was one of my best N.C.O.’s and I had only left him a minute before, when I advised him to move up the trench to a less dangerous part, but as the Boches were attacking just then, he insisted on remaining where he was, it being the best place from which to fire his Lewis gun, with which he had already done great damage. When he was hit, the remainder of his team, who were great friends of his cried. Once more, I repeat how sorry I am, but it must be a great consolation to you to know that he died doing his duty nobly, and died fighting, just the death that a soldier would choose. We know he is now in a better land, out of all pain and sorrow.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 21st, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of Lance-Corporal George Riley, who fell in action, March 21st, 1918.

“He answered the country’s call.”

From his sorrowing Wife, Mother, Father and Family.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 2nd, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Riley – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Lance-Corporal G. A. Riley, who fell in action, 21st March, 1918.

“Tis sweet to know we’ll meet again,
Where partings are no more,
And that the one we loved so dear,
Has only gone before.”

“He answered his country’s call.”

From his sorrowing Mother and Father, Sisters and Brothers.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 15/2/2018