Born in Accrington Lancashire, Riley won a scholarship to The Royal College of Art when he was still a teenager.

He married Mabel Amelia Mann, a professional contralto, whom he first met when she was singing at the Royal Albert Hall, apposite the RCA.

He served in the army in France during the First World War driving an ammunition truck up to the front line.

He started out as a portrait artist and when his daughter was born he became an art teacher at Emmanuel College, London.

He was a member of The London Sketch Club and The Chelsea Arts Club.

After becoming profoundly deaf he worked as a commercial artist for publishers Hodder & Stoughton specialising in designing book covers.

We are grateful to Diana Gunton, the artist’s grand daughter, for assistance.