Lissentheok – in search of Riach’s
On a recent visit to Lijssenthoek CWGC Military Cemetery, with two purposes in mind, I went on the hunt for two Riach headstones, and I went off on a tangent, yet again!
My first stop, as usual, was the small room where the Roll for those who rest within the cemetery walls is kept along with the visitor’s book. I already had the grave references, but I needed to photograph the cemetery plan so I could go directly to the two headstones in question – Nigel Stewart Riach (I’ve blogged about him before but the photograph of his headstone was added information) and a C Riach.
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery © C Sklnar April 2019
That particular morning, it was a bright sunny Belgium day and I was the only living person among over 10,000 who had given their lives in conflict – from many nations they are all equal in death.
I quickly found Nigel Stewart Riach and C Riach. The two Riach’s were located in adjacent sections, XXV and XX1V – not that far apart really.
I’ve already told you about Nigel Stewart Riach and now it’s C Riach’s turn.
C Riach headstone Lijssenthoek CWGC © C Sklinar April 2019
C Riach, was known to his family as Charles. He had married Mary Shield, the couple lived at 17 Barr Street, Glasgow. Charles joined the Royal Field Artillery in Glasgow and became Driver 7219 and entered France in July 1915.
As part of ‘C; Battery, 64th Brigade, he served until he died at no. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) on the 30th of September 1917 aged 25.
Charles, as he was serving in France in 1915, was eligible for the 1915 Star, along with the Victory and British Medals.
His widow, Mary later remarried and became known as Mary Wilson, as can be seen from documents and from the CWGC entry for Charles.
At the base of Charles’ headstone are the words “He is Gone but Not Forgotten”.