Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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12164   Private James Toner
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 25/12/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 05/12/1897
Died: 21/08/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 20
Summary      
James Toner was the eldest son of Peter and Mary Toner. He was born on 5th December 1897. He was the oldest of at least fourteen children, all born in the Coalisland area. By 1911, James had left school and was working as a mill worker. The family were living in Brackaville Town, Coalisland. Private James Toner was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment when he was killed in action on 21st August 1918. He was 20 years old.
Further Information
James Toner was the eldest son of Peter and Mary Toner. Peter Toner and Mary Mooney were married on 13th February 1897 in the district of Cookstown.
James Toner was born on 5th December 1897. He was the oldest of at least fourteen children, all born in the Coalisland area.
The 1901 census records James as 3 years old. His father was a flax dresser. The family lived in Brackaville, Coalisland, Tullyniskane, Tyrone.
Known family: Peter Toner, Mary Toner, James Toner (born 5th December 1897), Edward Toner (born 3rd June 1899), Mary Toner (born 9th July 1900), Peter Toner (born 6th August 1901, died 12th August 1901), Annie Toner (born 9th August 1902), Ellen Toner (born 9th December 1903, died 15th December 1905, age 2), Catherine Kathleen Toner (born 20th September 1905, died 12th April 1911, age 6), Bridget Toner (born 4th March 1908), Joseph Toner (born 30th July 1910, twin, died 31st January 1912, age 1), Peter Toner (born 30th July 1910, twin), Francis Toner (born 23rd July 1912), Alice Toner (17th December 1913), John Toner (born 16th September 1915, twin), Thomas Toner (born 16th September 1915, twin).
The 1911 census shows James the eldest of a large family. James is 13 and had left school and was working as a mill worker. His father was now working as a wood turner. His mother was also working as a mill worker. The family were living in Brackaville Town, Coalisland, Tullyniskane, Tyrone.
James Toner enlisted in Londonderry.
Medal card
Private James Toner was initially with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Service No 22770).
Private James Toner was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment when he was killed in action on 21st August 1918. He was 20 years old.
Last Will and Testament
In his will, he left all to his mother, who was living in Brackaville.
Last Will and Testament of James Toner:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to Mrs Mary Toner, Mother, Brackaville, Coal Island, Co Tyrone. Signed James Toner 12164. Royal Irish Regiment. 5th October 1917.
Memorials
Private James Toner has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, ten kilometres south east of Arras in France.
Private James Toner is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial.
The CWGC records Private James Toner as the son of Peter and Mary Toner of Brackaville, Coalisland, County Tyrone.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Brackaville, Tullyniskane Coalisland Census listing in Brackaville, Tullyniskane 54.54765 -6.713873
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
13/02/1897 M Mooney Mary Parent M/1897/L1/2533/4/94b
13/02/1897 M Toner Peter Parent M/1897/L1/2533/4/94a Money
05/12/1897 B Toner James Casualty U/1897/110/1012/20/5
03/06/1899 B Toner Edward Sibling U/1901/110/1012/21/167
09/07/1900 B Toner Mary Sibling U/1900/110/1012/21/27
06/08/1901 B Toner Peter Sibling U/1901/110/1012/21/190
12/08/1901 D Toner Peter Sibling D/1901/110/1012/15/172 died age 0
09/08/1902 B Toner Anne Sibling U/1902/110/1012/21/374
09/12/1903 B Toner Ellen Sibling U/1903/110/1012/22/84
20/09/1905 B Toner Kathleen Sibling U/1905/110/1012/22/413
15/12/1905 D Toner Ellen Sibling D/1906/110/1012/16/324 died age 2
04/03/1908 B Toner Bridget Sibling U/1908/110/1012/23/381
30/07/1910 B Toner Peter Sibling U/1910/110/1012/24/234 twin
30/07/1910 B Toner Joseph Sibling U/1910/110/1012/24/233 twin
12/04/1911 D Toner Kathleen Sibling D/1911/110/1012/18/77 died age 6
31/01/1912 D Toner Joseph Sibling D/1912/110/1012/18/158 died age 1
23/07/1912 B Toner Francis Sibling U/1912/110/1012/25/49
17/12/1913 B Toner Alice Sibling U/1913/110/1012/25/256
16/09/1915 B Toner John Sibling U/1915/110/1012/26/30 twin
16/09/1915 B Toner Thomas Sibling U/1915/110/1012/26/31 twin
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Toner family Lists James as age 3 living with the family at house 46 in Brackaville, Tullyniskane, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Toner family Lists James as age 13 living with the family at house 17 in Brackaville, Tullyniskane, Tyrone
3 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of James Toner
4 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023