Pte
Benjamin Zachary Riches
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1895 |
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Place of birth: Rochford, Essex, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Groom / Horseman |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: G8685 |
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Enlistment place: Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, United Kingdom |
Information about death
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Date of death: 31/07/1917 |
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Place of death: Rifle Farm, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 22 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: Bay 51 stone D |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Benjamin Riches was a 22 year old horseman from Rochford, Essex. Private Riches was part of the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (the ‘Die-Hards’), 63rd Brigade, 37th Division. At the end of July 1917, his battalion took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, the opening battle of the Battle of Passendaele.
On 31 July 1917, the 37th Division took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, the opening stage of the Third Battle of Ypres. At 3.50 a.m., zero hour, the 4th Middlesex in conjunction with the 19th division advanced to a line roughly running from July Farm to Rifle Farm. With the Middlesex going to Rifle Farm and the 8th Lincolns going to June and July Farm. Once these positions had been consolidated “A” Company of the 4th Middlesex was sent forward to search Bab Farm. Almost immediately, they were met with a counter-attack which they repelled. In the meanwhile “C” Company moved forward from their positon at Rifle Farm to support ‘A’ Company at Bab Farm and two more counter-attacks were repelled. However a new German advance developed and the two Companies were forced to retreat from Bab Farm, suffering heavy casualties. The remnants of these companies then joined with “D” Company, which was positioned with its left on "Bee Farm". This position was reached at about 5 a.m. However at 5.30 the 4th Middlesex took sniper fire in the rear from May Farm, which had been failed to mop up during the advance. It was promptly decided to clear the area with support from the 8th East Lancs. But the situation didn’t improve and the remnants of the 4th Middlesex were heavily shelled from about 9 a.m. until about midday, suffering considerable casualties. On top of the frequent shelling the men were subjected to heavy rifle fire.
At about 1.15 p.m. a new massive German counter-attack appeared advancing on their front and also round the left rear. The position of the Battalion was considered untenable by the Officer in Command who ordered a retirement from Rifle Farm. Benjamin Riches was one of the soldiers who was killed in action during this battle. His body was never found. Today, he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial bay 51, stone D.
On 31 July 1917, the 37th Division took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, the opening stage of the Third Battle of Ypres. At 3.50 a.m., zero hour, the 4th Middlesex in conjunction with the 19th division advanced to a line roughly running from July Farm to Rifle Farm. With the Middlesex going to Rifle Farm and the 8th Lincolns going to June and July Farm. Once these positions had been consolidated “A” Company of the 4th Middlesex was sent forward to search Bab Farm. Almost immediately, they were met with a counter-attack which they repelled. In the meanwhile “C” Company moved forward from their positon at Rifle Farm to support ‘A’ Company at Bab Farm and two more counter-attacks were repelled. However a new German advance developed and the two Companies were forced to retreat from Bab Farm, suffering heavy casualties. The remnants of these companies then joined with “D” Company, which was positioned with its left on "Bee Farm". This position was reached at about 5 a.m. However at 5.30 the 4th Middlesex took sniper fire in the rear from May Farm, which had been failed to mop up during the advance. It was promptly decided to clear the area with support from the 8th East Lancs. But the situation didn’t improve and the remnants of the 4th Middlesex were heavily shelled from about 9 a.m. until about midday, suffering considerable casualties. On top of the frequent shelling the men were subjected to heavy rifle fire.
At about 1.15 p.m. a new massive German counter-attack appeared advancing on their front and also round the left rear. The position of the Battalion was considered untenable by the Officer in Command who ordered a retirement from Rifle Farm. Benjamin Riches was one of the soldiers who was killed in action during this battle. His body was never found. Today, he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial bay 51, stone D.
Sources 6
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/920055/BENJAMIN%20RICHES/ Sources used |
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Long Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/ Sources used |
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Passchendaele: The Day-by-Day Account, McCarthy C., London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995, pp. 20-21 Sources used |
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War Diary 4th Bn. Middelsex Regiment http://www.nmarchive.com/ Sources used |
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Wyrall E., The Die-Hards in the Great War, London, Harrison & Sons, s.d., pp. 104-107 Sources used |