Re: 1791 Colour Sergeant John Joseph O'Toole
Received 29/02/04
Hello Ivor,
Just found your website and would like to ask if anyone knows how to get hold of the records for Colour Sergeant John Joseph O'toole who died in 1914 War.
He was at Yser and of the Irish Guards 1st Battalion. He was recommended for a Victoria Cross but died 6 weeks before getting it. I am not sure where to look for these records. He was in the battle of Marne and at Mons.

His father was a RSM also with the Irish Guards called Francis Patrick Otoole who retired aged 60 in about 1916 based at Fenham Barracks in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Trained the 2nd Battalion.

 Any further information or any other desendants are welcome. Both Francis Patrick and John Joseph Otoole are my ancestors.

 Yours faithfully

Miss Victoria House (continued below . . )

Received 13/03/04

Hi Ivor,
A few weeks ago I emailed you. Since then I have now got, Colour Sergeant John Joseph O'Toole's army record and number. I was wondering if anyone might have a photograph of him. Can you ask people visiting your website.
I have enclosed with this email, a writeup (below) which I have done of John's army record.
I would also like to know more about his wife if possible.
John Joseph O'Toole was my great-great Uncle and his father was Francis Patrick O'toole who's army number is not known as yet. But he was an RSM stationed at Newcastle-on-Tyne between 1914-16. Then retired aged 60 in 1916. John was his only son.

Yours faithfully
Miss Victoria House  
 

         JOHN'S  ARMY RECORD

Name:        John Joseph O’Toole     Army Number 1791
Regiment:  1st battalion, Irish Guards. Joined them 23rd December 1903

Father:       Francis Patrick O’Toole Regimental Sergeant Major of Irish Guards
Born:          Ship Street Army Barracks in Dublin, Ireland in 1885
His Appearance:  Height           5 foot 9 ¼ inches tall
Weight:          139 pounds
Hair:            Auburn / Red
Eyes:            Blue with a squint in one eye
Teeth:          21 were sound and solid 9 were defected
Scars:           Round scar on inside of right leg
Religion:        Roman Catholic
Date Enlisted: 14th August 1903 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Training:
3rd Class 28th March 1904
2nd Class 1st December 1905
Musketry training at Hythe 14th October 1910
D.O.I. 26th October 1910

Promoted through Ranks
Private in 1904
Lance Corporal 1904
Corporal 1905
Lance Sergeant 1907
Colour Sergeant 1910

Hospital:
25th February 1907
Synovitis of Knee and Scarlet Fever at Caterham Barracks in hospital for 31 days

10th July 1910
Abrasion on Right Hand at Aldershot 5 days in hospital

30th January 1914
Recommended that his teeth would be required abstracting by a dental surgeon

29th October 1914
Shot in Left Leg during action in a battle.

30th June 1914
Supplied with Artificial Dentures at London at the cost of 5 pounds 7 shillings and 6 pence. His wages was only 6 pence per day. This is the total of 3 months wages.

In Action in World War One:
Fighting in war from 21st August 1914 until 4th November 1914  Total 76 days
Battle at Mons at the opening of the campaign
Battle of the Marne 10 September 1914
Battle at Yser

Married:
Hilda Beatrice Rogers on 12th August 1914
Possibly in St. Peters Church at Palace Street, London

Died:
Was Killed in Action on 4th November 1914 in Flanders Fields.
Medals: 
Recommended for Victoria Cross after battle at Yser.
But died 6 weeks before his would have got it.

"Quis Separabit"  R.I.P 

Awarded 1914 Star medal for services to the Army, which was, sent to Hilda his wife. She was now a widow.
Widows Pension
Hilda was sent 11 Shillings a week from the Irish Guards as a pension.

       If you have any information for Victoria please send me an email