George Clement Riley

This story and images are shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher.

George Clement Riley was born on the 26th of September 1925, the son of George and Olive Mary Riley (née Cullingford) who were married in Holy Trinity Church, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire in the December quarter of 1924. A daughter, Margaret Annie Riley, born in 1929 completed the family. They are seen on the 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939, living at 7 Manor Road, Derby. George Riley Snr was working as an Engine Locomotive Driver Heavy Work and George Riley Jnr was at school as was his sister.

George attended Firs Estate School and was then employed by the Derby Co-Operative Society as a butcher's assistant. When he was called up in November 1943 he joined the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman and was posted to the shore base of HMS President III. During the Battle of Normandy he was serving as a Deckhand on board the the SS Ocean Courier, a Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS).

On the night of July 30th/31st, 1944, SS Ocean Courier was part of convoy FTM.53, made up of 14 Merchant ships and three escorts, which departed the Seine Bay for Southend. But three German E Boats, the S 97 (Waldhausen), accompanied by S 114 (Hemmer) and S 91 (Nolte) attacked the convoy off Beachy Head. They fired six torpedoes at the convoy and reported multiple hits. They sank the SS Samwake, and damaged the SS Fort Dearborn and SS Ocean Courier. Ocean Courier was torpedoed between No.4/No.5 hold on the port side.

A citation for the Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea awarded to Tom Pearson, Second Officer on the Ocean Courier explains what happened next.

There were several casualties among the members of the crew, some of whom were trapped in their quarters. Second Officer Pearson showed exceptional courage and leadership in difficult and dangerous circumstances. Although it was uncertain at the time whether the ship would remain afloat, he collected together a party of volunteers and led them to the rescue of their shipmates. Five bodies were recovered and two men who were brought out alive.

George was one of those two men and after the damaged ships were towed to Dungeness he was taken to Tilbury Hospital but died of his wounds. A funeral service was held for him on the 5th August in the Methodist Chapel, Littlover and George Riley was buried in Derby (Nottingham Road Cemetery).

The family and friends were deeply affected by the loss of George Clement Riley, as numerous newspaper cuttings over many years show. Notices also included those from former service friends.

L-R: Derby Daily Telegraph 31 July 1946; 01 August 1949; 31 July 1953

 

One of the more touching ones, sent in by his friend Bill, gives us an idea of what he was like. He wrote:

RILEY – In memory of A.B. George Clement Riley, R.N., died of wounds July 31, 1944
His cheery way and smiling face
Are a pleasure to recall,
He had a smile for everyone,
And died beloved by all.
Sadly missed by his pal Bill