Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Albert Toone, a boot and shoe trade rivetter, born 12th September 1863 in Anstey, Leicestershire (son of Thomas Toone, 1835-1868 and Emma Davie, 1837-1870) and his wife Annie Eliza Toone (nee Gumley, married in the October quarter of 1882 in Leicester), a boot and shoe trade fitter and machinist, born in the January quarter of 1864 in Leicester and baptised on the 9th October 1864 in All Saint’s Church, Leicester (daughter of Stephen Gumley, 1836-1924 and Sarah Hannah Murby, 1837-1912). Albert was born in the July quarter of 1890 in Anstey, his siblings were, Emma, a schoolgirl, born 20th March 1883, Sarah Hannah, a schoolgirl, born 17th December 1884 and Annie Mary, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1887, the latter three siblings were all born in Leicester and Eveline, born 29th January 1889 in Anstey, in April 1891 the family home was at Cottage, Cropston Road, Anstey. In March 1901 Albert was residing in the family home at Forest Gate, Anstey, together with his father a boot and shoe trade warehouse packer, his mother and siblings, Sarah, a boot and shoe trade machinist, Eveline, Emma, a boot and shoe trade worker and Wilfred Ernest, born 16th April 1895 in Anstey, also residing with the family was Albert’s uncle, Tom Davie, a boot trade heel leather sorter, born 1852 in Anstey. In April 1911 Albert was employed as a bricklayer’s apprentice and was residing in the family home at Woodbine Cottage, Forest Gate, Anstey, together with his father, a boot and shoe trade packer, his mother and siblings, Eveline, a green grocer’s assistant and Wilfred, a schoolboy.
Albert married Leah Smith on the 3rd April 1915 in Leicester, Leah was born on the 4th August 1887 in Leicester and baptised on the 6th November 1888 in the Church of St. Mary de Castro, Leicester (daughter of William Smith and Mary Ann Munsey). They had two children, Lawrence Kenneth, born 18th October 1915 in Hinckley, Leicestershire and Albert William, born 26th January 1918 in Leicester, the family resided at Wortley Cottages, Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, but later moved to 44, Dannett Street, Off King Richard’s Road, Leicester. Albert’s widow never remarried and was residing at 277, Gooding Avenue, Leicester together with her son Albert in 1939.
Albert enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 7th February 1916 in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and was allotted the service number 29806. He gave his age as 25 years 200 days. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as bricklayer. He gave his present address as Wortley Cottages, Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire.
He confirmed that he had previously served with the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.
His medical examination took place in Glen Parva on the 15th August 1916 and recorded his apparent age as 25 years 200 days, that he was 5 feet 6½ inches in height, weighed 132 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 35 and 37 inches.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Leah Toone, Wortley Cottages, Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, 44, Dannett Street, King Richard’s Road, Leicester.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Attested. In Hinckley. 7/2/16.
To Army Reserve. Pte. 7/2/16.
Mobilised. 28/9/16.
Posted. To 25th (Works) Bn. Durham Light Infantry. Pte. 28/9/16.
Transferred. To 7th Bn. Labour Corps. Pte. 28/4/17.
Transferred. To 3rd Bn. Durham Light Infantry. South Shields. Pte. 11/5/17.
Embarked. Folkstone. 6/8/17.
Disembarked. 6/8/17.
Posted. To 15th Bn. Durham Light Infantry. “B” Coy. Pte. 7/9/17.
Wounded in action. Gunshot wound to back. 2/6/10/17.
Admitted. To 47th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 4/10/17.
Admitted. To 7th Canadian General Hospital, Etaples. Gunshot wound to back, slight. 5/10/17.
Discharged to Unit. In the Field. 14/10/17.
Joined Unit. In the Field. 20/10/17.
Killed in action. In the Field. 16/4/18.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 7/2/16 – 6/8/17. 1 year 181 days.
France. 7/8/17 – 16/4/18. 253 days.
Total Service. 2 years 69 days.
Albert was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Albert’s surviving service record is in extremely poor condition, the hand written information in some cases is barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of service.
On the 11th November 1918, Albert’s widow was awarded a weekly Army Pension of twenty-five shillings and five pence, this was then further increased to twenty-six shillings and eight pence, for herself and her two children, to commence on the 4th November 1918.
The War Diary records: 13 Apr-18 – WYTESCHAETE. The Battalion took over the line in the WYTESCHAETE sector.
The War Diary records: 14 Apr-18 – WYTESCHAETE. Holding the line.
The War Diary records: 15 Apr-18 – WYTESCHAETE. Holding the line. The enemy began to show increased activity.
The War Diary records: 16 Apr-18 – WYTESCHAETE. Holding the line.
The War Diary records: 17 Apr-18 – WYTESCHAETE. At 5.00am the enemy opened a heavy bombardment, and at about 7.30am attacked. The troops on the Battalions right were compelled to give way, which caused a gap in the line. This was immediately filled by one Company of the Battalion and one Company of the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT, and a defensive flank formed. At 4.00pm the enemy made two further attempts to penetrate the line held by our right Company both attacks being repulsed by our artillery, Lewis Guns and rifle fire. The enemy suffered very heavily in these attacks.
The War Diary records: 30 Apr-18 – VOLKERINCKHOVE. The Battalion marched to the VOLKERINCKHOVE area and camped.
During the operations from the 15th to the 27th April inclusive the following casualties to Other Ranks took place.
Killed 44.
Wounded 162.
Missing 44.
N.Y.D. 3.
Wounded and Missing 31.