Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edwin Fox Riley, a granite sett maker, born in the July quarter of 1865 in Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire and baptised on the 7th June 1865 in St. Michael’s Church, Stoney Stanton (son of Thomas Adcock Riley, 1845-1914 and Mary Hannah (Anna) Fox, 1845-1897) and his wife Elizabeth Riley (nee Stevens, married on the 19th March 1888 in St. Peter’s Church, Belgrave, Leicester), born in the January quarter of 1868 in Stoney Stanton and baptised on the 9th August 1868 in St. Michael’s Church, Stoney Stanton (daughter of Isaac Stevens, 1853 and Harriet Farmer, 1842). Sydney Edwin was born on the 30th January 1892 in Stoney Stanton and was baptised on the 17th April 1892 in St. Michael’s Church, Stoney Stanton, his siblings were, Linda Harriet Elizabeth, born in the July quarter of 1888 and baptised on the 22nd July 1888 in St. Michael’s Church, Stoney Stanton, Vera Constance, born on the 22nd November 1889 and baptised on the 19th January 1890 in St. Michael’s Church, Stoney Stanton, Percy Stevens, born on the 13th July 1894 and baptised on the 19th August 1894 in St. Michael’s Church, Stoney Stanton, Ernest Isaac, born on the 15th July 1896 and baptised on the 16th August 1896 in St. Michael’s Church, Stoney Stanton, Agnes Mary, born on the 11th October 1898 and baptised on the 20th November 1898 in St. Michael’s Church, Stoney Stanton and Clarence Thomas, born on the 22nd October 1900 and baptised on the 16th December 1900 in St. Michael’s Church, Stoney Stanton, all his siblings were born in Stoney Stanton, in March 1901 the family home was at Manorfield Cottages, Stoney Stanton. In April 1911 Sydney was absent from the family home at Hinckley Road, Stoney Stanton, residing there was his mother and siblings, Vera, a hosiery trade linker, Percy, a shoe trade heel fitter, Ernest, a hosiery trade trimmer, Agnes, a schoolgirl, Clarence, a schoolboy and Harold, a schoolboy, born on the 3rd October 1902 in Stoney Stanton and baptised on the 16th November 1902 in St. Michael’s Church, Stoney Stanton, meanwhile, Sydney was employed as a coach builder’s apprentice and was residing as a boarder at Ascot Houses, 5, Epsom Road, Leicester. Sydney’s younger brother Percy, died on the 5th August 1916, from wounds received in action.
Sydney attested into the Territorial Force for an engagement of (One year’s Embodied Service at Home) on the 1st September 1914. He gave his place of birth as Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire and his age as 22 years and 8 months. He gave his trade or calling as coachbuilder. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Mr. Riley of Leicester Road, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5-foot 6½ in height and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2539 on the 1/9/14. Posted to the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 1/9/14. His Embodied service began on the 1/9/14. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 2/3/15. Reported missing, and assumed dead, on or since the 13/10/15. Struck off strength of the Battalion on the 11/12/15. Summary of service; Home Service, 1/9/14 – 1/3/15, 182 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/15 – 13/10/15, 226 days. Total service 1 year 43 days. Sydney was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory Medals. The following information was provided by Sydney’s father Edwin on the 1st May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by A. E. W. -?-, Rector, The Rectory, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Edwin Riley, of Long Street, Stoney Stanton. Mother of soldier, Elizabeth Riley of Long Street, Stoney Stanton. Full blood brothers of soldier, Gunner E. Riley, age 22 of 157 H.B., Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force. Clarence T. Riley, age 18 of Long Street, Stoney Stanton. Harold Riley, age 16 of Long Street, Stoney Stanton. Half-blood brother of soldier, J. W. B. Blakemore, age 28 of Long Street, Stoney Stanton. Full blood sisters of soldier, Linda Riley, age 31 of Long Street, Stoney Stanton. Vera Blakemore, age 29 of Long Street, Stoney Stanton. Agnes Riley, age 20 of Long Street, Stoney Stanton. Sydney’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history. His younger brother Percy Stevens died from wounds received in action.
On Saturday October 17th 1914, The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “FOOTBALLERS ENLIST.” – The two brothers, Sidney and Percy Riley, sons of Mr. E. V. Riley (a professional cricketer), have both joined the forces. Both are well known players and members of Stanton Swifts F.C. Their absence from play during the future matches of the club will be much felt. They carry with them, however, the good wishes of their comrades and the inhabitants generally, by whom they are held in high esteem.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Tuesday, November 16th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Riley, of Stoney Stanton, have received official intimation that their oldest son, Private S. H. RILEY, of the 1/4th Leicester’s, is missing. He took part in the famous charge on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. He was 23 years of age, and joined the local Territorials immediately the war broke out. He worked at the tramcar repair sheds as a body maker, and was well known in the South Leicestershire Cricket and Football Leagues, being a member of the first teams of the Stoney Stanton cricket and football clubs. Two of his brothers are serving in the army; one is at the front with the 8th Leicester’s and the other in the R.G.A.
On Friday, November 19th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LEICESTERS: KILLED AND MISSING - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Private S. E. RILEY, 4th Leicester’s. Missing since October 13th. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. G. Riley of Stoney Stanton.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Information to add: The rector who signed as a witness to Edwin Riley's information on his son Sydney was called Reverend Anthony Edward Denny Disney, MBE, who held the living of St Michael's Stoney Stanton from 1885-1923.

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Submitted by A. Jackson in 2015