Pte 15470 James Stanley Riding

• Age: 20
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: La Neuville Cc Corbie
  Panel Ref: B.6

James Stanley was born on 19^th March 1896 in Everton, Liverpool, the only son and younger of two children born to James, a foreman carter born in Everton, and his wife Grace Anne (nee Townson) who was born of British parents in Michigan, USA.  His parents married on the 21st Aug 1893 at St Peter’s Church in Everton, father James was a 21 year old carter of 1 St George’s Hill, father Robert, whilst Grace was aged 20 of 95 Opie St, father Francis. James was also baptised at St Peter’s Church in Liverpool on 15th April 1896, when the family lived at 1 St George’s Hill, Liverpool. 

In 1901 the family are shown living at 268 Commercial Road, Liverpool. 

His father aged 28 is a carting foreman, whilst his mother is 27 years of age. James is 5 and has an older sister Grace A. aged 6.  Also in the household are his maternal grandfather Francis Townson, 52, a dock labourer born in Liverpool, and his wife Sarah A., 34, and their daughter Gladys Mary, 7 months old. (His grandfather had been widowed in 1897 and remarried in 1899 to the widow of James’ uncle, Thomas Riding.)

The 1911 Census finds the family living at 34 Hale Road, Walton. His father, is now 38 years of age and a carter for a forwarding agent, his, mother, is aged 37 and they have been married for 17 years and have 2 children. James Stanley is 15 and shown as a junior clerk in a shipping officer and his sister, Grace Ann, aged 16 years, is a feather dresser.

James enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool, joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15470.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915.

He died of wounds at No.21 Casualty Clearing Station on 1^st July 1916, aged 20, but was not a casualty that day, having been wounded by artillery fire while in the trenches near Maricourt on 27^th June 1916.

He now rests at grave B 6 in La Neuville Communal Cemetery, Corbie where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“LOVED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM”.

In April 1916, No.21 Casualty Clearing Station came to La Neuville and remained there throughout the 1916 Battles of the Somme, until March 1917. La Neuville British Cemetery was opened early in July 1916, but burials were also made in the communal cemetery. Most of them date from this period, but a few graves were added during the fighting on the Somme in 1918. The communal cemetery contains 186 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. The graves form one long row on the eastern side of the cemetery.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Courier on 28th July 1916:

Private James S. Riding (20), Liverpool Pals, only son of Mr. and Mrs.Riding, 34, Hale-road, Walton. He was formerly employed by Messrs. Langland and Sons, Brown's Buildings, Liverpool.

Also in the Liverpool Evening Express 08th August 1916:

Pte. James S.Riding, of the Pals, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Riding, 34 Hale-road,Walton. Pte.Riding,who died of wounds, was a member of St. Lawrence's Bible Class,and was formerly in the office of Messrs. Langlands and Sons,Brown's Buildings. 

Liverpool Echo 30th June 1917 

“RIDING - July 1, 1916, died of wounds, Jim Riding K.L.R. (Pals). Ever remembered by Fred and Hannah at 62 Langham Street.” 

Liverpool Echo 2nd July 1917 

“RIDING - July 1, 1916, died of wounds, Jim Riding K.L.R. (Pals). Ever remembered by Fred and all at 62 Langham Street.” 

In Memoriam notices also appeared in the Liverpool Echo on 10th, 11th and 12th July 1917:

“In sad but loving memory of my dear pal, Private James S. Riding (Liverpool Pals), who died of wounds received in action July 1, 1916. - Bert (France).” 

He earned his three medals.  

James’ Army effects, Army Pay of £6 15s 2d and War Gratuity of £10 went to his father. His mother, at 34 Hale Road, was awarded a pension of 3/6d a week from December 1917.  The reason for the long delay is not known. 

The CWGC in erecting his headstone in the 1920s corresponded with his parents who by then had moved out of Liverpool and were living in “Innisfallen”, School Road, Hightown. 

Liverpool Evening Express 1st July 1926 

RIDING - In loving memory of our dear JIM, 17th K.L.R., who died of wounds in France, July 1, 1916. (Dearly loved, sadly missed.) - “Innisfallen,” Hightown. 

In 1939 his parents are still at “Innisfallen”. His father, 67, dob 15th Nov 1872, is a master carter, working on his own account, his mother is 65, dob 20th Mar 1874. 

His parents lived through the Second World War.  

His father died in 1951 aged 79, and his mother in 1956 at the age of 81, still living at “Innisfallen”.

James is commemorated on the following Memorials: 

Hightown Civic Memorial

St. Stephen’s C of E Church, Hightown

St. Lawrence’s C of E Church, Kirkdale 

Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 43

We currently have no further information on James Stanley Riding, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.