Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Riland Gordon TUCKER

Riland (Riley) Gordon TUCKER was born on 6 June 1919 at Curramulka, South Australia to Clarence GORDON TUCKER and Ida Lydia WATTERS.

Riland was one of five children born to Clarence and Ida. He had a sister Leila Grace (born 16 March 1917 in Curramulka), a brother Daniel John (Jack) (born 31 March 1922 in Curamulka), a sister Doris Mabel (born 30 August 1920 in Curramulka), and a brother Keith Clarence (born 1 September 1925 in Curramulka).

Both before and after his war service, Riley was heavily involved in social, community and sporting activities.

On Wednesday July 24, 1940, a social evening was held at Curramulka in aid of the Red Cross and Fighting Forces Comfort funds. During the evening, Riley conducted a general knowledge and question bee, the ladies winning the contest by 40-points to 28. [1]

Riland enlisted in the AIF (SX 14594) from Curramulka, South Australia, attesting on 18 September 1941 at Wayville, Adelaide, SA. He was 22 years and 3 months and working as a clerk. He was single, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with blue eyes, a dark complexion, and dark hair. He was a Methodist.

In January 1941 Riley, Keith Reade and Vic Mills, of the militia training camp spent their weekend leave in Curramulka.[2] In October 1941, Riley spend five days leave with his parents.

In August 1943, it was reported that ‘Corporal Riley Tucker, Supply Assistant Keith Tucker (RAN) and Sapper Jack Tucker, the three sons of Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Tucker’ were home on leave.[3]

Riland served in the Northern Territory, North of parallel 14.5 degrees South latitude, in the Darwin area from 10 June 1944 to 13 October 1944.

On 3 November 1944, Corporal Riley TUCKER and Spr. Jack TUCKER was reported as being home on leave.[4]

Riland was discharged on 16 October 1945. In his discharge paperwork, Riland was noted to have an operation scar on his right chest due to emphysema.

On Tuesday 6 November 1945, a social event was held a Curramulka to welcome home service personnel, including Riley.[5]

Riley married Marjorie Doreen FORREST[6] on 4 February 1950 at the Baptist Church, Eden Valley.

Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Thursday 22 April 1948, page 8

FORREST — TUCKER. —The engagement is announced of Marjorie D., youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Forrest, Springton, to Riland G., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Tucker, Curramulka.

In September 1950, Riley was the MC and ‘carried out the duties of toastmaster in a very capable manner’ at the 21st birthday of Miss ruth Hayles.

 In September 1952, Riley was elected Secretary and Treasurer of the Curramulka Tennis Club.[7] In December 1952, he played drums at a Youth Travel ‘Come in Bad Taste[ party at the Curramulka Institute.[8]

On 15 February 1952, Curramulka news reported that Mr. and Mrs. Keith Reade and family and Mr. and Mrs. Riley Tucker were touring on Eyre's Peninsula. [9]

In 1954, Riley was a member of the Curramulka emergency fire crew. The previous year he was involved in fundraising to buy a fire truck and pump for the community.

Riland died on 31 July 2004 at age 85.

Jack’s uncle was Riland Melville TUCKER, the son of Daniel TUCKER and Elizabeth Jane GREGOR. Riland was born in Curramulka on 4 October 1892. Riland was killed in action on 16 October 1917.

[1] Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Friday 2 August 1940, page 5.
[2] Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Friday 31 January 1941, page 8.
[3] Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Friday 6 August 1943, page 4
[4] Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Friday 3 November 1944, page 3.
[5] Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Friday 23 November 1945, page 3.
[6] Marjorie was the daughter of William John Henderson FORREST and Christina Tura HART. She was born at Mount Pleasant in the District of Talun, South Australia.
[7] Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Friday 5 September 1952, page 2
[8] Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Friday 5 December 1952, page 5.
[9] Pioneer (Yorketown, SA : 1898 - 1954), Friday 15 February 1952, page 1