Main CPGW Record
Surname: TOON
Forename(s): Albert
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 3861
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 20
Date of Death: 1915-11-04
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: IV. D. 7.
CWGC Cemetery: TALANA FARM CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Albert Toon was the son of William and Mary Ann Toon, née Elson. William was born at Burley-on-the-Hill, Rutland and Mary at Hillmorton, Warwickshire. Albert’s sister, Martha Grace, was married to Corporal William Harragan (81362) (q.v.) and sister, Margaret Annie, to Corporal William Wild (29864) (q.v.).
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 4, West Street - Albert Toon, aged 6 years, born Skipton, son of William and Mary A. Toon.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 2, York Street - Albert Toon, aged 16 years, born Skipton, son of William and Mary Ann Toon.
The British Army Service Record for Albert Toon exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Albert Toon, 3861, W. Rid. Rgt. Theatre of War first served in: 1 - France. Date of entry therein: 29 .6.15. K. in A.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Albert Toon, 6/3861, 1/6 W. Rid, R. K. in A. 4.11.15.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Albert Toon, 3861, 1/6 W. Riding Regt. Date and Place of Death: 4.11.15. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father and Sole Legatee - William. £5 9s. 4d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Albert. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mr William Toon, born 1857. Relationship to soldier: Father. Address 1. 2, York Street, Skipton, Yorks. Address 2. 11, Thornton Street, Skipton, Yorks. Address 3. 18, Clitheroe Street, Skipton, Yorks.
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
TOON, Albert, aged 20, 6th Duke of Wellington’s, York Street, [Skipton], killed in action 1915.
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Private Albert TOON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
The family of William and Mary Ann Toon, née Elson
- Albert Toon - front, far right
Courtesy of Jean Lancaster, Gargrave
Private Albert Toon
Courtesy of Jean Lancaster, Gargrave
Private Albert Toon
Courtesy of Jean Lancaster, Gargrave
WEST YORKSHIRE PIONEER ILLUSTRATED WAR RECORD
Private Albert Toon
Private Albert Toon's 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
Courtesy of Jean Lancaster, Gargrave
Talana Farm Cemetery
CWGC Headstone
Courtesy of Aurel Sercu, Boezinge, Belgium
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
12 November 1915
ANOTHER CASUALTY IN THE ‘DUKE’S’
Another, apparently, must be added to the list of young Skiptonians who have given their lives for King and Country, news having been received during the week that Pte. Albert Toon, of the 1/6 Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, was killed in action on Friday last.
The relatives of Pte. Toon, who reside in Broughton Road, had not, at the time of writing, received an official intimation, the intelligence having reached them by means of a letter written home by a friend of the unfortunate young fellow serving in the same regiment.
Prior to enlisting after the outbreak of hostilities, Pte. Toon was employed as a factory operative and was a well-known member of the Niffany Rovers Football Club.
26 November 1915
PRIVATE TOON’S DEATH CONFIRMED – Former Skipton Football Player
The death of Pte. Albert Toon, 1/6 Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, which was unofficially reported about three weeks’ ago, was confirmed on Monday morning last by the formal announcement from the War Office.
Pte. Toon was the son of Mr. Wm. Toon, of 2, York Street, Broughton Road, Skipton, and would have been 21 years of age next January. He was formerly employed at Firth Shed, Skipton, and a well-known member of the Niffany Rover’s Association Football Club.
He joined the 2/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in January last and subsequently transferred to the 1st 6th, with which he went to France in April last. His letters home have been bright and cheerful, and he evidently took a keen interest in his work.
The following letter has been received from Pte. J. L. Berry, who was in the same dug-out as Pte. Toon:
“It grieves me very much to write these few lines, but as his chum I think it my duty to express my sympathy regarding Albert’s death. He was close by me at the time and it was an unlucky shot that caught him, death being instantaneous. He was a fine lad and I think everybody has lost a real pal, but he has gone for the good cause, doing his duty in the best of spirits to the last. His grave is marked with a cross among those of his fellow men.
“I, together with all his pals, express our sympathy in your time of sorrow.”
Mr. Toon has two other sons and a son-in-law serving with the Colours.
20 December 1918
TOON – In tender and loving memory of our dearly-beloved mother, husbands and brothers.
We have to mourn the loss of you,
We did our best to save;
Beloved on earth, regretted, gone,
Remembered in the grave.
“God be with you till we meet again.”
From their sorrowing ones at 11 Thornton Street, Broughton Road–Mr. Toon and Family.
[In this ‘In Memoriam’ – Private Albert Toon, Corporal William P. Harragan and Corporal William Wild are remembered]
07 November 1919
TOON – In loving memory of our dear brother, Pte. Albert Toon, killed in action November 4th, 1915.
We loved him – yes, no tongue can tell
How deep, how dearly, and how well!
Christ loved him too, and thought it best
To take him home with Him to rest.
From his Sisters, who loved him dearly, Nellie and Maggie, New Mills, Stockport.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
12 November 1915
SKIPTON FOOTBALLER KILLED IN FRANCE
Private Albert Toon, of the 1st 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, has been unofficially reported killed. Letters have been received from his comrades by his relatives at Broughton Road, Skipton, to the above effect.
Toon was a well-known member of the Niffany Rover’s Football Club.
26 November 1915
PTE. ALBERT TOON’S DEATH CONFIRMED
Confirmation was received on Monday morning of the death of Private Albert Toon of the 1st 6th West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. Wm. Toon of York Street, Skipton. Private Toon’s death was reported by a comrade about three weeks’ ago, but it was not till Monday that the official news was received from the War Office. He would have been 21 in January next. He joined the 2nd 6th in January last. Subsequently he was transferred to the 1st 6th, and went to the Front about April last. Prior to enlisting Private Toon was employed at Firth Shed, Skipton. His letters home have been very cheerful, and he has expressed his satisfaction with his work. The father of the deceased has two other sons and one son-in-law in the Army.
Writing on November 20th 1915, Private J.L. Berry, a comrade of Private Toon, says:– “It grieves me very much to write these few lines, but as his chum I thought it my duty to just express my sympathy regarding Albert’s death. He was close by me at the time, and it was a lucky shot that caught him, death being instantaneous. He was a fine lad and I think everybody has lost a real pal, but he has gone for a good cause, doing his duty in the best of spirits to the last. His grave is marked with a cross among his fellow men. . . I, together with all my pals, express my deepest sympathy in your time of trouble.”
24 December 1915
CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – SKIPTON
Pte. Albert Toon, 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, son of Mr. Wm. Toon, of York Street, Skipton, killed in action. Twenty years of age. Prior to enlisting was employed at Firth Shed, Skipton.
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