{"id":20242,"date":"2026-03-11T15:57:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.overloonwarchronicles.nl\/?page_id=20242"},"modified":"2026-03-11T18:39:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T18:39:15","slug":"riches-charles","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.overloonwarchronicles.nl\/en\/riches-charles\/","title":{"rendered":"Riches Charles"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Riches | Charles Ernest<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3>First names<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Charles Ernest<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Age<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>20<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Date of birth<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>13-01-1924<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Date of death<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>14-10-1944<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Service number<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>5892153<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Rank<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Private<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Regiment<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>Lincolnshire Regiment, 2nd Bn.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Grave number<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>I. B. 9.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Charles-Ernest-Riches.jpg\" alt=\"Charles Ernest Riches\"><\/p>\n<h3>Charles Ernest Riches<\/h3>\n<p>Charles Ernest Riches<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Graf-Charles-Riches.jpg\" alt=\"Grave Charles Riches\"><\/p>\n<h3>Grave Charles Riches<\/h3>\n<p>Grave Charles Riches<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Biography<\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Charles Ernest Riches was killed on 14 October 1944 at Overloon. He was aged 20 and a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment (Service No. 5892153). He was initially buried at the Vogelsangs Farm near Overloon and re-interred in grave number I. B. 9. at the Commonwealth War Grave Commission Cemetery at Overloon on 15 July 1946.<\/p>\n<h4>Family background<\/h4>\n<p>Charles Ernest Riches was the son of Pymer James Riches and Catherine McPherson Riches (nee Studdy).<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>Pymer James Riches had been born in the Medway district of Kent on 16 June 1869. He was the son of James Riches and Ann P Riches (nee Pymer). James had been born in 1829\/30\u00a0 and Ann in 1830\/1, both in Wareham, Norfolk. <br \/>\u00a0<br \/>In 1871, James and Ann were living at Dale End, Chatham, Medway, Kent. James was working as a Telephone Line Man. With them were three children: Ann Lavinia born 1865 in St Giles, Cambridgeshire, William Foster born 1868 in Histon, Cambridgeshire and Pymer James himself who had been born in Chatham in 1869. This suggests that the family moved from Histon to Chatham between 1868 and 1869. <br \/>\u00a0<br \/>By 1881, the family had moved to 3, Warwick Place, Daventry, Northamptonshire. James was working as a Telegraph Clerk and so was in the Civil Service. The same three children were present plus a fourth, Arthur, who was born in Daventry in 1875. At this time Annie was working as a Boot Fitter while William was a Boot Rivetter.<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>In 1891 they were living at 40, Warwick Street, Daventry. James was now described as a Telegraph Pensioner. With them were children William and Arthur, working respectively as a Shoe Rivetter and Shoe Clicker, and a granddaughter, Emma Riches born in 1885 in Daventry. Annie and Pymer James were no longer at home. It isn\u2019t known where Pymer James Riches was at this time.<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>Catherine McPherson Studdy had been born on 13 December 1877. She was the daughter of William Studdy and Elizabeth (or Isabella) Studdy (nee Guthrie). William had been born in 1837 in Walker (or Long Benton), Northumberland (now a part of Newcastle). Elizabeth had been born in 1836\/7 in Belford, Northumberland. They had married in1861 in Newcastle.<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>In 1871 William and Isabella (as she was referred to then) were living at Campbell Street, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne. William was an Ale Porter Agent and Isabella was described as an Ale Porter Agent\u2019s wife. With them were four children as follows: James William b 1863, Peter Robert b 1865, Mary Elizabeth b 1867 and Hugh McPherson born 1871. The first three were born in the Elswick area of Newcastle while Hugh was born in the St John\u2019s area of Newcastle. Also present was a servant, Elizabeth Ann Chantler born 1853 in the St John\u2019s area.<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>In 1881, William and Elizabeth were living at 8, Tindal Street, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne. William was now a Draper\u2019s Assistant but was unemployed at the time. James, Peter, Mary and Hugh were still with them. However, two more children were present: Margaret A (Meggie) b 1874 and Catherine herself born in 1877\u00a0 \u2013 both born in Newcastle. James was working as a Butcher and Peter as a Warehouseman Draper. <br \/>\u00a0<br \/>William Studdy died in Gateshead, County Durham in 1889.<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>By 1891, Elizabeth was therefore widowed and living at 105, Marian Street, Gateshead, Co. Durham. With her were her four younger children: Mary, Hugh, Margaret and Catherine. Hugh was working as a Provisions Warehouseman. <br \/>\u00a0<br \/>In 1895, Pymer James Riches married Catherine McPherson Studdy in the Chester le Street district of County Durham. <br \/>\u00a0<br \/>In 1901 Catherine Riches was living at 40, Saltwell Road, Gateshead, Co. Durham in the household of her widowed mother Elizabeth Studdy. Elizabeth\u2019s son, Hugh McPherson Studdy, and a granddaughter Catherine McPherson Studdy born in Newcastle in 1893. Hugh was working as a General Cartman and was still single. With Catherine were her first two children: James William b 1897 and Mary Elizabeth b 1899, both in Newcastle (though Mary may actually have been born in Gateshead). Again, it isn\u2019t known where Pymer was at this time. <br \/>\u00a0<br \/>By 1911, Pymer (now known as James) and Catherine were living at Redheugh Hall, Rose Street, Gateshead, Co. Durham. Pymer was working as a Horse Keeper to Colliery Bank. Their children, James\u00a0 and Mary, were still with them as were four more children as follows: Sarah Allison b 1902, Meggie Ann b 1905, Catherine McPherson b 1907 and Elizabeth Fraser b 1909 \u2013 all born in Gateshead. James William was working as a Token\u00a0 Lad (above ground).<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>Redheugh Hall had been part of the Redheugh estate which had existed since the 13th Century. The Hall was a late 17thCentury House. The setting of the house was ruined when the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway was built between the house and River Tyne. In 1835 the house was leased to a glass manufacturer from Newcastle. The railway was moved in 1839 but the estate was put up for sale in 1850 as building plots for villas. It was only sold after 1871 when the Redheugh Bridge opened, increasing access to the site from Newcastle. Much of the land was built on, but the Hall stood empty. In 1912 it was a storehouse, with hay held in the eighteenth century drawing room. Then it was sold to the Redheugh Colliery Company. It would be in this latter period when the Riches family lived in part of it.<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>Between 1917 and 1919 Pymer and Catherine had moved to Daventry in Northamptonshire. In June 1921 they were living at Drayton Grange. Pymer was now working as a Gardener for AW Priestly. With them were Sarah, Catherine and Elizabeth plus four more children: Edith Louise b 1911, Hilda Margaret b 1913, Dorothy b 1917 and Peter Robert b 1919. Peter was born in Daventry and the others in Gateshead. Their two eldest children and Meggie Ann were no longer at home. Another child, Ralph Allison Riches, had been born in Gateshead in 1915. In June 1921, he was a patient in the General Hospital, Billing Road, Northampton.<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>Charles Ernest Riches was born in Daventry on 13 January 1924. He was therefore the youngest of Pymer and Catherine\u2019s twelve children<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>In September 1939, Pymer and Catherine were living at 10 Williams Terrace, Daventry. Pymer was now working as a retired Baker\/Confectioner and Catherine was a Laundress. With them was Charles and an undisclosed record suggesting the presence of another child. This was likely to have been Hugh McPherson Bishop (known as \u201cMac\u201d) who was the son of Pymer and Catherine\u2019s daughter, Mary Elizabeth Riches. She had married Victor Bishop in 1916 and had two children, one of whom was Mac who was born in 1920. It seems her husband had abandoned her and she died in 1927, leaving her mother to bring up Mac. Charles was working as a Baker and Confectioner.<\/p>\n<h4>Military Career<\/h4>\n<p>The 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment served with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and returned from Dunkirk after the battles of France and Belgium in 1940. Charles will have been too young to have been in the Army at that stage. The Battalion then spent the next four years training in various parts of the United Kingdom before taking part in the D-Day landings in June 1944. <br \/>\u00a0<br \/>It is thought that Charles joined up in the Army around May 1943.<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>The Battalion landed in France on 6 June where they spent the night just south of Lion sur Mer. They engaged the enemy in areas north of Caen during June and early July. <br \/>\u00a0<br \/>It is known from a Casualty Record that Charles was wounded while in Normandy, but the exact date is not recorded. A total of 36 men from the same Battalion were similarly recorded as wounded on the same list. Those from other regiments on those lists were shown as wounded between 25 June and 13 July. <br \/>\u00a0<br \/>The Battalion was involved in Operation Charnwood on 8 to 9 July. This was intended to capture Caen. While it was a tactical success for the Allies, they lost 3,817 troops during the operation. It is likely that it was in this battle that Charles was wounded. The Battalion War Diary records that 113 Other Ranks were wounded and 23 killed on 8 July.<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>The Battalion moved on to fight in Operation Goodwood where a further 211 Other Ranks were wounded and 18 killed on 20 July. This is another possibility for when Charles was wounded. It is not known how severe his injury was or when he was able to rejoin his unit. The Battalion continued to fight in Normandy during August and early September before moving rapidly on into Belgium on 16 September and then Deurne in the Netherlands on 25 September. This was part of the Allied push towards Arnhem in Operation Market Garden which ultimately failed to take the bridge at Arnhem.<br \/>\u00a0<br \/>On 9 October 1944 the Battalion found itself in Haps, just south of Nijmegen and North of Overloon. It was to take part in Operation Aintree in the coming days with the aim of taking Overloon to the south and then Venray before finally eliminating a German bridgehead on the River Maas near Venlo. They were ordered to move south to St Anthonis on the 11th, but this was postponed to the 12th due to bad weather. The move was completed on the 12th and they then moved slightly further west on the 13th, though with one man killed and 3 wounded. <br \/>\u00a0<br \/>On the 14th, the plan was for B Company to be guided through a wood held by the Royal Ulster Rifles to its front edge from where they would carry out a recce to check if a stream was passable and if the north eastern corner of a wood to the south was held by the enemy. However, the guides were late and the move through the wood was slower than expected, so the recce did not take place. At 7.30am the Company began to advance south out of the wood under a 10 minute concentration of artillery fire. However, before the Company had advanced 100yds the enemy opened fire from a track about another 100 yds ahead. The advance continued and the track cleared of the enemy. This yielded about 10 prisoners and a few dead. As soon as the prisoners were clear, enemy defensive fire came down on the Company and four or five machine guns opened up from the left flank. 12 Platoon were ordered to advance under covering fire from 10 Platoon but in so doing lost about half their number. The Company Commander issued an order to retreat back to the Royal Ulster Rifles\u2019 position. By this point one Lieutenant and 34 other ranks had been killed or wounded. It was decided to launch an attack at 1530 hours with D and A companies in the lead. The enemy had been seen moving in the area of the stream in front of the wood. It was thought that the enemy holding the Battalion objective were probably a Company strong. Immediately the attacking force came into the open they were subjected to intense artillery and mortar fire but they pressed steadily on to reach their objective. During this action the Battalion again suffered very heavy casualties. This was the day on which Charles Ernest Riches was killed in action.<\/p>\n<h4>Aftermath<\/h4>\n<p>His death was reported in the Newcastle Evening News of 3 November 1944. He was described as Private Charles E Riches, 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment, youngest son of Mr and Prs P J Riches, of 10 William Terrace, Daventry (late of Redheugh Hall, Gateshead).<\/p>\n<p>It was also reported with his photograph in the Northampton Mercury\u00a0 of 3 November 1944. It is thought to read as follows: \u201cOfficial information has been received that Pte Charles Ernest Riches youngest son of Mr and Mrs Riches of William Terrace, Daventry has been killed in action in North West Europe. Pte.\u00a0 Riches who was 20 joined the army over a year and a half ago before which he was a ?? in the Daventry Civil Defence Service. He attended Daventry Abbey School after which he was employed in Daventry Coal Supply. A boxer, Pte. Riches was a member of Daventry Boys\u2019 Club. A brother L.A.C Peter Robert Riches is serving in the RAF.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As seen in this article, Charles\u2019 brother also served in WW2. So too did their sister Dorothy\u2019s husband. He served in the Northampton Yeomanry alongside Charles and Peter\u2019s nephew Mac who had been brought up with them almost as a brother as they were of similar ages.<\/p>\n<p>Pymer J Riches died in Daventry in early 1945, just a few months after his son.<\/p>\n<p>Catherine M Riches may have died in 1951 in Meriden Warwickshire.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Sources and credits<\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records<br \/>Lincolnshire Regiment War Diaries via Traces of War Website and the Normandy War Guide Website <br \/>Wikipedia \u2013 information on the Lincolnshire Regiment and Operation Charnwood.<br \/>Newcastle Evening Chronicle of 3 Nov 1944<br \/>Photo and information from the Northampton Mercury 3 Nov 1944<br \/>Assistance from Beverley Whittaker, Charles\u2019 niece.<\/p>\n<p>Research Elaine Gathercole<br \/>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--more--><br \/>\n<!-- {\"type\":\"layout\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"small\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"props\":{\"layout\":\"1-2,1-2\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"width_medium\":\"1-2\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"headline\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"Riches | Charles Ernest\",\"title_element\":\"h3\"}},{\"type\":\"description_list\",\"props\":{\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"layout\":\"grid-2\",\"list_element\":\"ul\",\"list_size\":\"collapse\",\"list_style\":\"divider\",\"meta_align\":\"below-content\",\"meta_style\":\"text-meta\",\"show_content\":true,\"show_link\":true,\"show_meta\":true,\"show_title\":true,\"title_element\":\"div\",\"title_grid_column_gap\":\"small\",\"title_grid_row_gap\":\"small\",\"title_grid_width\":\"small\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"description_list_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Charles Ernest<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"First names\"}},{\"type\":\"description_list_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>20<\\\/p>\",\"title\":\"Age\"}},{\"type\":\"description_list_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>13-01-1924<\\\/p>\",\"meta\":\"\",\"title\":\"Date of birth\"}},{\"type\":\"description_list_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>14-10-1944<\\\/p>\",\"meta\":\"\",\"title\":\"Date of death\"}},{\"type\":\"description_list_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>5892153<\\\/p>\",\"meta\":\"\",\"title\":\"Service number\"}},{\"type\":\"description_list_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Private<\\\/p>\",\"meta\":\"\",\"title\":\"Rank\"}},{\"type\":\"description_list_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Lincolnshire Regiment, 2nd Bn.<\\\/p>\",\"meta\":\"\",\"title\":\"Regiment\"}},{\"type\":\"description_list_item\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"\n\n<p>I. B. 9.<\\\/p>\",\"meta\":\"\",\"title\":\"Grave number\"}}]}]},{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"width_medium\":\"1-2\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"gallery\",\"props\":{\"filter_align\":\"left\",\"filter_all\":true,\"filter_grid_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"filter_grid_width\":\"auto\",\"filter_position\":\"top\",\"filter_style\":\"tab\",\"grid_default\":\"1\",\"grid_medium\":\"2\",\"image_height\":\"350\",\"image_width\":\"200\",\"item_animation\":true,\"link_style\":\"default\",\"link_text\":\"Read more\",\"margin\":\"default\",\"meta_align\":\"below-title\",\"meta_element\":\"div\",\"meta_style\":\"text-meta\",\"overlay_hover\":true,\"overlay_mode\":\"cover\",\"overlay_position\":\"center\",\"overlay_style\":\"overlay-primary\",\"overlay_transition\":\"fade\",\"parallax_easing\":\"1\",\"show_content\":true,\"show_hover_image\":false,\"show_link\":false,\"show_meta\":true,\"show_title\":false,\"text_align\":\"center\",\"text_color\":\"light\",\"title_element\":\"h3\",\"title_hover_style\":\"reset\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"gallery_item\",\"props\":{\"image\":\"wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/Charles-Ernest-Riches.jpg\",\"image_alt\":\"Charles Ernest Riches\",\"meta\":\"Charles Ernest Riches\",\"title\":\"Charles Ernest Riches\"}},{\"type\":\"gallery_item\",\"props\":{\"image\":\"wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/Graf-Charles-Riches.jpg\",\"image_alt\":\"Grave Charles Riches\",\"meta\":\"Grave Charles Riches\",\"title\":\"Grave Charles Riches\"}}]}]}]}],\"name\":\"personalia\"},{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"padding\":\"xsmall\",\"padding_remove_top\":true,\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"small\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"}}]}],\"name\":\"auteur\"},{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"padding_remove_top\":true,\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"small\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"headline\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"Biography\",\"title_element\":\"h2\"}},{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"\n\n<p>Charles Ernest Riches was killed on 14 October 1944 at Overloon. He was aged 20 and a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment (Service No. 5892153). He was initially buried at the Vogelsangs Farm near Overloon and re-interred in grave number I. B. 9. at the Commonwealth War Grave Commission Cemetery at Overloon on 15 July 1946.<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<h4>Family background<\\\/h4>\\n\n\n<p>Charles Ernest Riches was the son of Pymer James Riches and Catherine McPherson Riches (nee Studdy).<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>Pymer James Riches had been born in the Medway district of Kent on 16 June 1869. He was the son of James Riches and Ann P Riches (nee Pymer). James had been born in 1829\\\/30\\u00a0 and Ann in 1830\\\/1, both in Wareham, Norfolk. <br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>In 1871, James and Ann were living at Dale End, Chatham, Medway, Kent. James was working as a Telephone Line Man. With them were three children: Ann Lavinia born 1865 in St Giles, Cambridgeshire, William Foster born 1868 in Histon, Cambridgeshire and Pymer James himself who had been born in Chatham in 1869. This suggests that the family moved from Histon to Chatham between 1868 and 1869. <br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>By 1881, the family had moved to 3, Warwick Place, Daventry, Northamptonshire. James was working as a Telegraph Clerk and so was in the Civil Service. The same three children were present plus a fourth, Arthur, who was born in Daventry in 1875. At this time Annie was working as a Boot Fitter while William was a Boot Rivetter.<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>In 1891 they were living at 40, Warwick Street, Daventry. James was now described as a Telegraph Pensioner. With them were children William and Arthur, working respectively as a Shoe Rivetter and Shoe Clicker, and a granddaughter, Emma Riches born in 1885 in Daventry. Annie and Pymer James were no longer at home. It isn\\u2019t known where Pymer James Riches was at this time.<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>Catherine McPherson Studdy had been born on 13 December 1877. She was the daughter of William Studdy and Elizabeth (or Isabella) Studdy (nee Guthrie). William had been born in 1837 in Walker (or Long Benton), Northumberland (now a part of Newcastle). Elizabeth had been born in 1836\\\/7 in Belford, Northumberland. They had married in1861 in Newcastle.<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>In 1871 William and Isabella (as she was referred to then) were living at Campbell Street, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne. William was an Ale Porter Agent and Isabella was described as an Ale Porter Agent\\u2019s wife. With them were four children as follows: James William b 1863, Peter Robert b 1865, Mary Elizabeth b 1867 and Hugh McPherson born 1871. The first three were born in the Elswick area of Newcastle while Hugh was born in the St John\\u2019s area of Newcastle. Also present was a servant, Elizabeth Ann Chantler born 1853 in the St John\\u2019s area.<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>In 1881, William and Elizabeth were living at 8, Tindal Street, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne. William was now a Draper\\u2019s Assistant but was unemployed at the time. James, Peter, Mary and Hugh were still with them. However, two more children were present: Margaret A (Meggie) b 1874 and Catherine herself born in 1877\\u00a0 \\u2013 both born in Newcastle. James was working as a Butcher and Peter as a Warehouseman Draper. <br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>William Studdy died in Gateshead, County Durham in 1889.<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>By 1891, Elizabeth was therefore widowed and living at 105, Marian Street, Gateshead, Co. Durham. With her were her four younger children: Mary, Hugh, Margaret and Catherine. Hugh was working as a Provisions Warehouseman. <br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>In 1895, Pymer James Riches married Catherine McPherson Studdy in the Chester le Street district of County Durham. <br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>In 1901 Catherine Riches was living at 40, Saltwell Road, Gateshead, Co. Durham in the household of her widowed mother Elizabeth Studdy. Elizabeth\\u2019s son, Hugh McPherson Studdy, and a granddaughter Catherine McPherson Studdy born in Newcastle in 1893. Hugh was working as a General Cartman and was still single. With Catherine were her first two children: James William b 1897 and Mary Elizabeth b 1899, both in Newcastle (though Mary may actually have been born in Gateshead). Again, it isn\\u2019t known where Pymer was at this time. <br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>By 1911, Pymer (now known as James) and Catherine were living at Redheugh Hall, Rose Street, Gateshead, Co. Durham. Pymer was working as a Horse Keeper to Colliery Bank. Their children, James\\u00a0 and Mary, were still with them as were four more children as follows: Sarah Allison b 1902, Meggie Ann b 1905, Catherine McPherson b 1907 and Elizabeth Fraser b 1909 \\u2013 all born in Gateshead. James William was working as a Token\\u00a0 Lad (above ground).<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>Redheugh Hall had been part of the Redheugh estate which had existed since the 13th Century. The Hall was a late 17thCentury House. The setting of the house was ruined when the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway was built between the house and River Tyne. In 1835 the house was leased to a glass manufacturer from Newcastle. The railway was moved in 1839 but the estate was put up for sale in 1850 as building plots for villas. It was only sold after 1871 when the Redheugh Bridge opened, increasing access to the site from Newcastle. Much of the land was built on, but the Hall stood empty. In 1912 it was a storehouse, with hay held in the eighteenth century drawing room. Then it was sold to the Redheugh Colliery Company. It would be in this latter period when the Riches family lived in part of it.<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>Between 1917 and 1919 Pymer and Catherine had moved to Daventry in Northamptonshire. In June 1921 they were living at Drayton Grange. Pymer was now working as a Gardener for AW Priestly. With them were Sarah, Catherine and Elizabeth plus four more children: Edith Louise b 1911, Hilda Margaret b 1913, Dorothy b 1917 and Peter Robert b 1919. Peter was born in Daventry and the others in Gateshead. Their two eldest children and Meggie Ann were no longer at home. Another child, Ralph Allison Riches, had been born in Gateshead in 1915. In June 1921, he was a patient in the General Hospital, Billing Road, Northampton.<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>Charles Ernest Riches was born in Daventry on 13 January 1924. He was therefore the youngest of Pymer and Catherine\\u2019s twelve children<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>In September 1939, Pymer and Catherine were living at 10 Williams Terrace, Daventry. Pymer was now working as a retired Baker\\\/Confectioner and Catherine was a Laundress. With them was Charles and an undisclosed record suggesting the presence of another child. This was likely to have been Hugh McPherson Bishop (known as \\u201cMac\\u201d) who was the son of Pymer and Catherine\\u2019s daughter, Mary Elizabeth Riches. She had married Victor Bishop in 1916 and had two children, one of whom was Mac who was born in 1920. It seems her husband had abandoned her and she died in 1927, leaving her mother to bring up Mac. Charles was working as a Baker and Confectioner.<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<h4>Military Career<\\\/h4>\\n\n\n<p>The 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment served with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and returned from Dunkirk after the battles of France and Belgium in 1940. Charles will have been too young to have been in the Army at that stage. The Battalion then spent the next four years training in various parts of the United Kingdom before taking part in the D-Day landings in June 1944. <br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>It is thought that Charles joined up in the Army around May 1943.<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>The Battalion landed in France on 6 June where they spent the night just south of Lion sur Mer. They engaged the enemy in areas north of Caen during June and early July. <br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>It is known from a Casualty Record that Charles was wounded while in Normandy, but the exact date is not recorded. A total of 36 men from the same Battalion were similarly recorded as wounded on the same list. Those from other regiments on those lists were shown as wounded between 25 June and 13 July. <br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>The Battalion was involved in Operation Charnwood on 8 to 9 July. This was intended to capture Caen. While it was a tactical success for the Allies, they lost 3,817 troops during the operation. It is likely that it was in this battle that Charles was wounded. The Battalion War Diary records that 113 Other Ranks were wounded and 23 killed on 8 July.<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>The Battalion moved on to fight in Operation Goodwood where a further 211 Other Ranks were wounded and 18 killed on 20 July. This is another possibility for when Charles was wounded. It is not known how severe his injury was or when he was able to rejoin his unit. The Battalion continued to fight in Normandy during August and early September before moving rapidly on into Belgium on 16 September and then Deurne in the Netherlands on 25 September. This was part of the Allied push towards Arnhem in Operation Market Garden which ultimately failed to take the bridge at Arnhem.<br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>On 9 October 1944 the Battalion found itself in Haps, just south of Nijmegen and North of Overloon. It was to take part in Operation Aintree in the coming days with the aim of taking Overloon to the south and then Venray before finally eliminating a German bridgehead on the River Maas near Venlo. They were ordered to move south to St Anthonis on the 11th, but this was postponed to the 12th due to bad weather. The move was completed on the 12th and they then moved slightly further west on the 13th, though with one man killed and 3 wounded. <br \\\/>\\u00a0<br \\\/>On the 14th, the plan was for B Company to be guided through a wood held by the Royal Ulster Rifles to its front edge from where they would carry out a recce to check if a stream was passable and if the north eastern corner of a wood to the south was held by the enemy. However, the guides were late and the move through the wood was slower than expected, so the recce did not take place. At 7.30am the Company began to advance south out of the wood under a 10 minute concentration of artillery fire. However, before the Company had advanced 100yds the enemy opened fire from a track about another 100 yds ahead. The advance continued and the track cleared of the enemy. This yielded about 10 prisoners and a few dead. As soon as the prisoners were clear, enemy defensive fire came down on the Company and four or five machine guns opened up from the left flank. 12 Platoon were ordered to advance under covering fire from 10 Platoon but in so doing lost about half their number. The Company Commander issued an order to retreat back to the Royal Ulster Rifles\\u2019 position. By this point one Lieutenant and 34 other ranks had been killed or wounded. It was decided to launch an attack at 1530 hours with D and A companies in the lead. The enemy had been seen moving in the area of the stream in front of the wood. It was thought that the enemy holding the Battalion objective were probably a Company strong. Immediately the attacking force came into the open they were subjected to intense artillery and mortar fire but they pressed steadily on to reach their objective. During this action the Battalion again suffered very heavy casualties. This was the day on which Charles Ernest Riches was killed in action.<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<h4>Aftermath<\\\/h4>\\n\n\n<p>His death was reported in the Newcastle Evening News of 3 November 1944. He was described as Private Charles E Riches, 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment, youngest son of Mr and Prs P J Riches, of 10 William Terrace, Daventry (late of Redheugh Hall, Gateshead).<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>It was also reported with his photograph in the Northampton Mercury\\u00a0 of 3 November 1944. It is thought to read as follows: \\u201cOfficial information has been received that Pte Charles Ernest Riches youngest son of Mr and Mrs Riches of William Terrace, Daventry has been killed in action in North West Europe. Pte.\\u00a0 Riches who was 20 joined the army over a year and a half ago before which he was a ?? in the Daventry Civil Defence Service. He attended Daventry Abbey School after which he was employed in Daventry Coal Supply. A boxer, Pte. Riches was a member of Daventry Boys\\u2019 Club. A brother L.A.C Peter Robert Riches is serving in the RAF.\\u201d<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>As seen in this article, Charles\\u2019 brother also served in WW2. So too did their sister Dorothy\\u2019s husband. He served in the Northampton Yeomanry alongside Charles and Peter\\u2019s nephew Mac who had been brought up with them almost as a brother as they were of similar ages.<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Pymer J Riches died in Daventry in early 1945, just a few months after his son.<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Catherine M Riches may have died in 1951 in Meriden Warwickshire.<\\\/p>\",\"margin\":\"default\"}}]}]}],\"name\":\"biografie\"},{\"type\":\"section\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"padding_remove_top\":true,\"style\":\"default\",\"title_breakpoint\":\"xl\",\"title_position\":\"top-left\",\"title_rotation\":\"left\",\"vertical_align\":\"middle\",\"width\":\"small\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"row\",\"children\":[{\"type\":\"column\",\"props\":{\"image_position\":\"center-center\",\"position_sticky_breakpoint\":\"m\"},\"children\":[{\"type\":\"headline\",\"props\":{\"content\":\"Sources and credits\",\"title_element\":\"h2\"}},{\"type\":\"text\",\"props\":{\"column_breakpoint\":\"m\",\"content\":\"\n\n<p>From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records<br \\\/>Lincolnshire Regiment War Diaries via Traces of War Website and the Normandy War Guide Website <br \\\/>Wikipedia \\u2013 information on the Lincolnshire Regiment and Operation Charnwood.<br \\\/>Newcastle Evening Chronicle of 3 Nov 1944<br \\\/>Photo and information from the Northampton Mercury 3 Nov 1944<br \\\/>Assistance from Beverley Whittaker, Charles\\u2019 niece.<\\\/p>\\n\n\n<p>Research Elaine Gathercole<br \\\/>\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\\/p>\",\"margin\":\"default\"}}]}]}],\"name\":\"bronnen en credits\"}],\"version\":\"4.3.7\"} --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Riches | Charles Ernest First names Charles Ernest Age 20 Date of birth 13-01-1924 Date of death 14-10-1944 Service number 5892153 Rank Private Regiment Lincolnshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. Grave number I. B. 9. Charles Ernest Riches Charles Ernest Riches Grave Charles Riches Grave Charles Riches Biography Charles Ernest Riches was killed on 14 October 1944 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20242","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-biografie-en","category-biography"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Riches Charles - Overloon War Chronicles<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Biography of Charles Ernest Riches who served with Lincolnshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. and was killed in action in Overloon and is buried at the war cemetery there.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.overloonwarchronicles.nl\/en\/riches-charles\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Riches Charles - 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