Edward William Riley was born in Bendigo, VIC, was married to Mrs Minnie E Riley of 10 East Street, Ballarat East and worked as an architect and surveyor when he enlisted in the 3rd Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 2 on 22 January 1916 at the age of 24. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 28 July 1916. He was promoted to Acting Sergeant with extra duty pay in September 1916. Throughout 1917 and 1918 he returned to hospital with illness (unspecified) repeatedly, the end result being invalided to Australia aboard the Hospital Transport Medic on 10 April 1919. Luckily it appears he did not suffer any injuries during his tour of duty.
Tree No. 2026