Joseph Albert Riley (1869 – 6 January 1940), invariably referred to as "J. A. Riley", was a prominent South Australian businessman, and longtime organising secretary of several South Australian institutions. Born at

Bilton, Warwickshire Bilton is a suburb of Rugby in Warwickshire, England, located about south-west of Rugby town centre. It is also a ward of the Borough of Rugby, which at the 2021 Census had a population of 6,544. It comprises much of the western half of the town ...

, he emigrated at an early age with his parents to South Australia. He was educated at

Pulteney Grammar School Pulteney Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, co-educational, private day school. Founded in 1847 by members of the Anglican Church, it is the second oldest independent school in South Australia. Its campuses are located on South Terrace ...

and found employment in the office of

John Creswell John Andrew Jackson Creswell (November 18, 1828December 23, 1891) was an American politician and abolitionist from Maryland, who served as United States Representative, United States Senator, and as Postmaster General of the United States app ...

, whom he assisted in his many activities and positions, several of which he filled when Creswell died.

Activities

*Manager of National Insurance Company *active member of Odfellows and Recording Secretary of the Loyal Albion Lodge *Secretary of the Plympton Coursing Club 1895 (John Creswell was director) *Secretary of the South Australian Coursing Club *Secretary of Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society 1909–1925 It was during his incumbency that the Wayville Showgrounds were inaugurated. *Secretary of the

South Australian Cricket Association The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) is the peak body for the sport of cricket in South Australia. The association administers the Southern Redbacks based in Adelaide. SACA is the controlling body for the South Australian Grade Cri ...

*member of the

Adelaide Chamber of Commerce , merged = , successor = , formation = {{start date and age, 1839, df=y , founder = , founding_location = , extinction = , merger = {{plain list, * South Australian E ...

for 50 years (1887–1937) and Secretary for 29. He was active in the formation of the

Associated Chambers of Commerce The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India () is a Non-governmental organization, non-governmental trade association and advocacy group based in New Delhi, India. The organisation represents the interests of trade and commerce in ...

. *Secretary of the South Australian Vinegrowers Association *member of St. Peter's Old Collegians and the St. Peter's Lodge.

Recognition

*He was awarded the OBE for his work in fundraising during the

Great War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. *He was awarded the

King Albert Medal The King Albert Medal ( nl, Koning Albert Medaille, french: Médaille du Roi Albert) was a Belgian medal established by royal decree on 7 April 1919 and awarded to both Belgians and foreigners who were exceptionally meritorious in promoting, org ...

for his work in assisting Belgian refugees.

Family

He married Agnes Christina Davidson Sketheway (died 3 September 1945), a daughter of the president of

South Adelaide Football Club The South Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club that competes in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL). Known as the ''Panthers'', their home ground is Flinders University Stadium Wayville Wayville is an inner-southern suburb of Adelaide in the City of Unley. It is most notable for hosting of the Royal Adelaide Show at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, Adelaide Showgrounds. The suburb is bordered to the north by Adelaide's South Par ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Riley, Joseph Albert 1869 births 1940 deaths Australian businesspeople British emigrants to colonial Australia Colony of South Australia people People educated at Pulteney Grammar School