Arthur Baden Hamilton RILEY

RILEY, ARTHUR BADEN HAMILTON (b. Melbourne, Vic, 2 April 1901; d. Adelaide, SA, 29 April 1967). Anglican missionary in the Sudan.

Arthur Riley was educated at Caulfield Grammar School, the University of Melbourne (BA) and the SA School of Mines. Having heard Bp Chambers (q.v.) speak on missionary service, he entered Ridley College, being ordained deacon 1924 and priest in 1925.

Sponsored by the SA branch, he was appointed by CMS Australia to serve at Yambo, in Southern Sudan, which he reached late in 1926, after an epic motorbike journey from Kampala, Uganda. Riley served in a number of posts in the 'Centre of Africa', including several years (1931-8) as an educationist with government funding. He promoted literacy, organised the erection of many church buildings, and encouraged the growth of Sudanese Christian congregations. He was often engaged in peacemaking and encouragement.

While on leave in Adelaide in 1930-31 he m. Grace Beatrice Bennett. He also gave vigorous and significant leadership to the Adelaide CMS League of Youth which grew rapidly: several members subsequently became missionaries. In the Sudan he and his wife labored on through World War Two, and beyond, at serious cost to their health, experiencing the rapid modernisation of the communities among whom they worked, which was often expressed in eager demands for literacy. He was appointed an hon canon of All Saints Cathedral, Khartoum in 1949, principal of Bishop Gwynne Theological College Mundri 1951-55 and archdeacon of Southern Sudan 1955-60. Despite health problems he continued his vigorous and reliable ministry: 'if we gave Arthur a job he got on to it and did it'. (Stan Giltrap in Grace Riley, 2)

Developing Sudanisation and national-ism saw independence in 1956. The Rileys were invalided home in 1960. Theirs had been a long-term church-building ministry carried on within the friendly environment of British rule. Riley served briefly as CMS (SA) secretary 1960-61 then as rector of Normanhurst NSW 1961-5, where he oversaw the erection of a church and rectory.

Grace Riley, No Drums at Dawn (Melbourne, 1972); Records of CMS (SA)

BRIAN DICKEY