Veteran Story: Arthur Riley (1889-1954) was born near Gayndah, to Tom Tom Riley and Rosy. Riley was among 17 Aboriginal men who were recruited during an 'extraordinary' drive by the Queensland Recruiting Committee on 14 May 1917, known as "Empty Saddles". The committee, represented by Reverend David Garland and the Chief Protector of Aborigines, John William Bleakley signed their attestation papers and arranged for them to travel to the training base at Enoggera. On 25 May 1917 these recruits were paraded during a rally in Queen Street, Brisbane where they were encouraged to mount riderless horses as a show of their commitment. They were discharged 30 days later on 13 June 1917, for “having been irregularly enlisted” and returned to the mission under escort, with out any receipt of payment or discharge documents. Riley was granted permission to marry Julia Mitchell, originally from Beaudesert, in 1918, he died in 1953.
