210753 Pte. James Henry "Jas" Rilley British Army 18th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles from:114 Mill Street, Newtownards, Co. Down (d.14th Feb1918) This is my great grandfather's story, he was 39 years old and was married with eight children, one of these children was my granny (Annie Rilley)
"Mrs. J. H. Rilley, 114 Mill Street, NewÂtownards, has received news, but so far non-official, of the death at the front of her husband, Private J. H. Rilley, of the 183rd Labour Company, who originally enlisted in May, 1916. On being transferred to the Labour Company he proceeded to the Front in March, 1917, with which comÂpany he was until he made the supreme sacrifice, leaving behind his wife and eight young children. He was for three or four years before enlisting a labourer in the employment of Mr. Robt. M’Burney, Ballyhenry, Comber. His mother resides in Killyleagh. Rev. Roland H. Streatfield, C.F., writing to Mrs. J. H. Rilley states that on the morning of 15th February he received a message that the Labour Company had been shelled on the previous night, and several men hit, among whom was her husband. He was sure she would prefer to hear from him rather than have the news sent to her on a formal War Office notification. Her husband’s death was absolutely instanÂtaneous, so he never suffered at all. All his officers and comrades spoke highly of him, and I realise that the company has lost one of its best soldiers. He was buried in a quiet little cemetery with military honours, the Union Jack coverÂing him, and his comrades at the graveÂside sang “Abide with Me†and “Sun of my soul†as his remains were lowered to their last resting place,†which would be marked with a neat wooden cross, on which his name and date of death would be inscribed. He hoped to get the grave photographed later. He accorded his deepest sympathy with Mrs. Rilley and her children."
Captain H. E. Vivian Kynak also writes, telling Mrs. Rilley that her husband, Private J. H. Rilley (No. 109,545), of his company, was instantaneously killed by heavy shell fire. Private Rilley was very popular with all his comrades, and a brave and honest soldier. He asked Mrs. Rilley to accept his sincere sympathy, and requested her acceptance of a cheque. Lieutenant Edwin M. Kemp, of the same company, writes describing the deÂtails of Private Rilley’s death as above. In Private Rilley, he adds, they had an excellent and willing worker; in fact, one of the best, and his loss was keenly felt by all ranks. After expressing deep sympathy with Mrs. Rilley and family he concludes, “I assure you that his memory will always beheld sacred by all who knew him, for he lead a life to the full.
The Chronicle 23rd March 1918 page 5
For King and Country
Rilley. Killed in action on 14th February, 1918, Private James H. Rilley, 183rd Labour Company, dearly-beloved husband of Mary E. Rilley, 114 Mill Street, Newtownards. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing Wife and little Children
The Chronicle, 20th April, 1918 page 1.
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