John Toner likeness

John Toner cap badgeRifleman John Toner

1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
Service No: 20202

John Toner grave

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Click here for a frameable A4 print
Personal details

Family Information

Son of Francis and Bridget Toner of 42 High St, Bessbrook, Co. Armagh. Husband of Margaret (Maggie) Ann Toner (18/06/1884 - ) of 18 Buchanan St, Coatbridge. They had 2 sons, Michael Joseph born 01/02/1914 and John Francis (25/02/1917 - 09/01/1919). From the 1901 Ireland Census - Address - 46 High St, Ballybok, Co. Armagh - Francis Toner aged 50, Bridget Toner aged 40, Owen Toner aged 26, James Toner aged 23, Mary A Toner aged 22, John Toner aged 17, Sarah J Toner aged 15, Bridget Toner aged 13, Joseph Toner aged 8. John's wife Margaret Ann was the sister of Lance Corporal John Francis McCabe of the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers who was Killed in Action on the 10/05/1915 (see Directory). Her brother Patrick also served as did her brothers-in-law Corporal/Acting Sergeant Michael J McConville who Died of Wounds and Private Thomas McConville. John and Margaret Ann's children were named after her brothers John Francis and Michael Joseph McCabe. John's Pension was awarded to his wife on the 09/01/1919.

Born / Resided

Bessbrook, Co. Armagh / 18 Buchanan St, Coatbridge

Died

Died of Wounds on the 20/07/1918 received near Meteren

Enlisted

Hamilton 1917

Employed

Miner with the Lea End Coal Company

Age

34

Buried / Remembered

Bertenacre Military Cemetery (II. F. 2), Fletre, France

Cemetery / Memorial Information

The cemetery was made by French troops (as the Cemetery "du Calvaire de Bertenacre", from the crucifix on the main road), and used in July-September, 1918, after the Battles of the Lys, by the 36th (Ulster) Division. After the Armistice the 115 French and two German graves were removed, and British graves were brought in from the following cemetery:- ROYAL WEST SURREY CEMETERY, Fletre, was about 460 metres to the South-East. It contained the graves of 42 soldiers from the United Kingdom killed in an enemy air raid on the 18th August, 1917 (of whom 38 belonged to the 10th Queen's), and one Canadian soldier who fell in June, 1918. There are now nearly 150, 1914-18 and over 30, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. One grave from the 1914-18 War, destroyed by shell fire, is represented by a special memorial.

Additional Information

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 06/11/1914 and were part of the 25th Brigade, 8th Division. On the 03/03/1918 they transferred to the 107th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. John was formerly with the 6th Reserve Cavalry Regiment. The 36th (Ulster) Division were back to the Messines Ridge from July - September 1918 (The Division had taken part in the Battle there in 1917). SEE PHOTOS x 3 FOR THE HISTORY OF THE 36th (ULSTER) DIVISION BOOK FOR JULY 1918. According to the Bessbrook District War Dead book John enlisted in the North Irish Horse before transferring to the Royal Irish Rifles. John is listed as PRIVATE and TONNER on the Coatbridge Memorial. Grave photo donated by Mick McCann at the britishwargraves.co.uk. The Bertenacre Military Cemetery was made by French troops (as the Cemetery "du Calvaire de Bertenacre", from the crucifix on the main road), and used in July - September, 1918, after the Battles of the Lys, by the 36th (Ulster) Division. Also see photos for John's listing in the Bessbrook District War Dead book kindly sent to me by Christine Tyrrell from Warrenpoint and for another photo of John. In his obituary it was wrote John had played his last match on the pitch but had given his all. John is also remembered on his hometown Memorial in Bessbrook, Co. Armagh (see photos x 3) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his listing on the Ireland Casualties of WW1, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, Bessbrook War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday 2019, Bertenacre Military Cemetery, his CWGC Grave Registration x 3, his Headstone Report, John's Pension Records x 2, and the Royal Irish Rifles Cap Badge.

Photos
John Toner Medal Index CardJohn Toner newspaper clippingJohn Toner newspaper clippingJohn Toner newspaper clippingJohn Toner remembered at homeJohn Toner remembered at homeJohn Toner remembered at homeJohn Toner remembered at homeJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photoJohn Toner additional photo

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Comments
Not forgotten bessbrook and coatbridge
Christine- Tyrrell, Bessbrook, 01/08/2020 5:48PM
Always remembered by bessbrook and coatbridge
Christine- Tyrrell, Bessbrook, 01/08/2020 2:27PM

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