Sergeant William Riach
Service Number 2818374
Campaign:
Malaysia
Died:
25.5.1949
2SG
Aged 34
Sgt William Riach had 2 years TA service in the Seaforth Highlanders before joining the Scots Guards in Janua ry 1933.
After recruit training at the Guards Depot, Caterham he joined 1st Battalion. He was transferred to the Reserve between 1936 until
being recalled on 1 September 1939, 2 days before the start of WW2. He served with 1SG in BEF Norway between Ap ril / June
1940. 1SG moved to North Africa in March 1943 & Sgt Riach received a shell/mortar wound to the right knee on 23 April 1943
during the early stages of battle for Djebel Bou Aoukaz when Captain The Lord Lyell was awarded a posthumous VC on 27 Ap ril
1943. Not 100/% fit for the remainder of WW2 Sgt Riach served on mostly admin duties at the Gds Reinforcement Depot in
Italy. He also served in Greece.
In February 1946 Sgt Riach was released to the army reserve but re-enlisted on a Special Short Term Engagement in August 1946,
later he was allowed to extend which would have seen him complete 12 years serve. After a short period at The Guards Training
Bn, Pirbright he joined the 2nd Battalion at Victoria Bks, Windsor. In October 1948 2SG disembarked in Malaya.
Memorial(s):
| Country | Location | Name of Memorial | Campaign | Names | Date(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | Taman Pertama, 55300 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Cheras Road Christian Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia |
W Riach | 25-5-1949 | View |
Further information:
Find more information about a specific soldier visit findmypast. The Scots Guards are delighted that their Enlistment Books from 1840 to 1938 are now available at:
If you have information on a specific memorial please send it on to the Historical Committee. The Memorial information required is:
- Who or what formation of the Regiment is named on the memorial. What event, dates or other inscriptions on the memorial.
- The country, nearest town/city or other details of location.
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- For bigger sites a copy of any advertising information or leaflets would be useful.
Please sent any information that you find to: Michael Campbell-Lamerton
As the information on the database builds up Michael Campbell-Lamerton will be sending regular updates to Archives at RHQ who remains the point of contact about for inquiries on past members of the Regiment.
