Category: World War II

A Birthday Today! – July 24th*

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William Leo Riley, Sr. (1912-1985) was born in Pawtucket. With the exception of his 3 1/2 years in the US Army during WWII, Bill lived his life residing within a mile of where he was born.

He married Helen Manning in September of 1952. The couple had three children, Patricia, William L. (Bill), Paul, and later three grandchildren.

I always called him Uncle Bill. Smart, knowledgeable on many subjects, and ready to engage in conversation. When you’d see him come into the house on Pond Street, or the home on Wilton Avenue, he’d gently doff his soft felt Fedora hat, nod his head, say hello to everyone, and chime in on the news of the day.

Uncle Bill, a second generation Irish-American, was a hard working family guy and a combat infantry soldier in France and Italy. Here is my favorite picture of him in his soldier kakis.

Not sure where this was taken, maybe just before he shipped out to the European Theater.
  • Check out the April 28, 2014 blog entry to see a portion of a hand written letter Bill sent to my father from somewhere in France while conducting his combat missions.

Born on this date – Aug 24th

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Rita Patricia (Coleman) Riley was born in Pawtucket on this date in 1917 to the late Mary Anne Kenney (1885 – 1952) and the late Martin F. Coleman (1877 – 1853).

Rita lived her whole life in and around Pawtucket, but had strong ties to Ireland with both of her parents being born in The Emerald Isle.

She married Frances Charles Riley (1915 – 2004) in October of 1941, just before Frances joined the US Army and left for WWII in the European Theatre. They had one son, Stephen F. Riley who’s own daughter, Annie celebrated her birthday yesterday.

Rita passed away on January 6, 1974.

A Letter Home from the Front – William Riley (1912-1985)

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ps_2010_07_18___15_02_24

 

Recently, I rediscovered an old letter sent to my father (‘PJ” – Patrick J. Riley) from “Uncle Bill.” It was sent during World War II when Bill was serving in the Army somewhere in France. Although there is no year posted in the letter, the day of its composition reads, “July 26   In France”.  I am not going to post all three pages of the letter, because it would take up too much space, but I will type out some tidbits.

In the letter Bill wrote, “had me a birthday the other day, (July 24) my third in the khakis.”  He thoughtfully inquired as to the well-being of various pals and fellows of his, and he let us know that his brother Francis and nephew Russell Mulligan, had both received Army promotions. Bill made mention of “Casey”, (Uncle Fred to us) who at that time had been in the South (Pacific) and had “been banging around down there for quite a while.”

There is a reference to some packages that “Ma” had sent him, and he also asked his brother “PJ” how Barbara, Joan and Bill and Jim were doing.

He signed off his letter with the following: “Well it seems strange to think of being here in France.  I wish I could relate some of the things I’ve witnessed, it’s history in a hurry, but it will have to wait.”

 

Uncle Bill ltr pg 1