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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

William Albert Riches

In memory of:

Lieutenant William Albert Riches

August 29, 1944

Military Service

Age:

22

Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Canadian Artillery

Division:

5 Anti-Tank Regt.

Honours and Awards:

Mentioned in Despatches

Additional Information

Son of James Russell Riches and Clara May (née Lockhart) Riches, of Aberdeen, Saskatchewan. Born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Following schooling at Aberdeen, he entered the University of Saskatchewan, 2 years later he joined the Canadian Army. He graduated from Officers Training School at Gordon Head, Victoria, British Columbia and was posted overseas in 1942 as 1st Lieutenant with the Canadian Artillery Unit. Lt. Riches was wounded in France on August 28, 1944 and died the following day. He was mentioned in Dispatches for leadership and bravery.

Commemorated on Page 427 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Calvados, France

Grave Reference:

XX. D. 4.

Location:

This cemetery lies on the west side of the main road from Caen to Falaise (route N158) and just north of the village of Cintheaux. Bretteville-sur-Laize is a village and commune in the department of the Calvados, some 16 kilometres south of Caen. The village of Bretteville lies 3 kilometres south-west of the Cemetery. Buried here are those who died during the later stages of the battle of Normandy, the capture of Caen and the thrust southwards (led initially by the 4th Canadian and 1st Polish Armoured Divisions), to close the Falaise Gap, and thus seal off the German divisions fighting desperately to escape being trapped west of the Seine. Almost every unit of Canadian 2nd Corps is represented in the Cemetery. There are about 3,000 allied forces casualties of the Second World War commemorated in this site.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Photo of William Albert Riches– Lieutenant William Albert Riches, L/67169

    Details

    Photo of William Albert Riches
    Photo of William Albert Riches – Lieutenant William Albert Riches, L/67169
  • Grave Marker– A photograph of the headstone at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, located 20 kilometres south of Caen, France. May he rest in peace. (J. Stephens)

    Details

    Grave Marker
    Grave Marker – A photograph of the headstone at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, located 20 kilometres south of Caen, France. May he rest in peace. (J. Stephens)
  • Cemetery– The Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, located 20 kilometres south of Caen, France. (J. Stephens)

    Details

    Cemetery
    Cemetery – The Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, located 20 kilometres south of Caen, France. (J. Stephens)
  • Newspaper Clipping– From the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – From the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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