TOPIC:

From The Times, 30 Mar 1965

David
Murray shows one 158 Riley, James St Clair, as a Pte.in the Second Tasmanian Bushmen Contingent; promoted Cpl., 18061900. Another - 222 Riley, John Temple served in the 4th (Second Imperial Bushmen) Contingent. I have been looking for a Tasmanian QSA for years and have never come even close!!!
The J.Riley in the pic appears to be wearing the VM of his trio out of sequence - I wonder what the 5th gong is?
Regards
IL.

Ian,

That would be nice if that was he.

I wasn't sure about the 5th medal either. Anyone like to hazard a guess?

David

David
Certain State instrumentalities issued (and still issue) awards for long service, etc. Modesty forbids etc. etc. I would take a stab at Mr. Riley's fifth medal and suggest that it could well be the Hobart Fire Brigade Long Service and Meritorious Conduct Medal. The medal was struck in bronze and the issue from 1926-1944 was suspended from a maroon ribbon in the manner shown in the rather unclear pic.. Info about the HFBLS&MCM from "Australians Awarded" by C.Johnson.
It also looks as if J.Riley is wearing a SWB (plus, of course the lapel badge of the day of the Returned Services League).
It is highly unlikely we will ever know which of the two J.Rileys the Times pic illustrated. Unless someone has access to the HFBLS&MCM roll - if indeed it exists!
Best wishes.
IL.

Photographs of aged ex-servicemen meeting with Royalty (and other VIP's) are always interesting and reveal a respect and gratitude that survived long after military service was over.

I have a copy of a newspaper photograph showing King George VI in Pietermaritzburg in 1947 meeting with veterans, including one whose medals I have in my collection. This man was in Rhodesia in 1896, the Boer War and World War I and he lived to be 100. I feel sure that his meeting with the King was one of the highlights of his life. Sadly, that sort of meeting will no longer take place in South Africa, in spite of the fact that the country is back in the Commonwealth.

Brett

Pictured is John Temple Riley, his brother was James Sinclair Riley, often misrepresented at James St. Clair Riley.......John, during his WW1 service was awarded the Italian Bronze Medal for Military Valour.