Fred Riley

• Born : 1897 at Manchester
• Baptism : 7 April 1897 at St Luke, Miles Platting
• Married  : Elizabeth (she died 6 January 1963) two daughters Lucy and Joa
• Died : 27 April 1960

The son of Joseph and Annie Riley, Fred Riley was born in Manchester in 1897. At the age of 14 he was employed as an office boy in the office of an architect and it is assumed that his training was acquired by practical experience. About 1925 he took over the practice of Brameld and Smith. Brameld had died in 1914 and John Thornley Smith in 1924 as a result of a motoring accident. Thus Fred Riley was the sole member of the practice, works usually being recorded under the style Fred Riley (Brameld and Smith).  Most of his extensive practice was for improvements, alterations and extension to public houses such as “Mawson” Hotel Francis Street, Ardwick now listed Grade II. His one major commission was the Masonic Hall the Crescent, Salford.

The Kalendars of the RIBA indicate that Fred Riley had become an Associate of the Manchester Society of Architects by 1927 and Licentiate of the Institution in 1931. However, he regularly used the suffix ARIBA in the period 1926-1930. Fellow of RIBA?

Address
1926-1940 : Fred Riley (Brameld and Smith) 4 Cannon Street, Manchester
1945 : Fred Riley, Brameld & Smith. 81, Upper Brook Street. Manchester 13 (Slater’s Directory)
1947 : Fred Riley LRIBA (Brameld & Smith) 286a Corn Exchange Buildings Fennel Street

Residence
1901 :Richardson Street Collyhurst
1927 : 55 Donmett Street, Blackley
1936 : “Alexander” Hill Top Avenue. Hill Top Lane, Blackley, Manchester   
1960 : Fred Riley, 3 Hilltop Avenue Blackley, Manchester