Craftsman Jack Riley – Légion d’Honneur

Scribe: Major (Retired) Geordie Wright-Rivers

At the end of last year, we had the enormous pleasure and privilege of driving to Lancashire to meet 99-year-old exRecovery Mechanic, Jack Riley. He had recently been bestowed with France’s highest order of merit, the Légion d’Honneur, and the accompanying rank of ‘Chevalier’ (Knight), for his part in the D-Day landings on Normandy Beaches. He spent the remainder of the war travelling through France, Belgium and Holland before finishing in Lubeck, Germany, prior to his return home at the cessation of hostilities. The French Consul’s citation finished with the following statement:

“Today, your story opens a window on a collective history. Indeed, we know that our two Nations have a longstanding friendship bound in blood from the battlefields of World War One to the beaches of Normandy and to the final Victory of World War Two. Our two countries have stood shoulder to shoulder to defend and promote the values of freedom and democracy, and today again we are shoulder to shoulder to fight other crimes.

Mr Jack Riley, many thanks for what you did alongside all your fellow

Brothers in arms. May your commitment, your bravery and your spirit of fraternity continue to act as an example and a source of inspiration for all of us. Long live to United-Kingdom. Long live to France. Long live to Franco-British friendship. I wish you, your family and friends all the best.”

Particular thanks go to the ‘Veterans in Communities’ (VIC) hub at Haslingden, especially Ray Sharkey, who made us aware of Jack’s inspirational story.

Thanks to all Corps members who continue to connect us with Founder Members. Throughout the year we have visited and met some amazing people with incredible tales of exploits and adventures spanning the globe (and as you might imagine, a few of which are not quite suitable for publication!). We remain very keen to find all of our Founder Members and Senior Veterans so please continue to keep us informed if you meet or know of anyone out there that may not yet be on our radar.

Once REME, always REME.