Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Toone a glove trade worker, born 1844 in Sileby, Leics., and his wife Mary Toone (nee Clarke), born 1855 in Sileby, Leics. Thomas was born in 1898 in Sileby, Leics., his siblings were, George Henry, a shoe trade finisher, born 1878, John W., a shoe trade finisher, born 1881, Frederick, a shoe trade riveter, born 1883, Charles Edwin, a shoe trade riveter, born 1885, Alice, born 1889, Mary Ann, born 1892 and Ethel, born 1895, all his siblings were born in Sileby, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Swan Street, Sileby, Leics. In April 1911 Thomas was a schoolboy and was employed as a grocer’s errand boy, and was residing in the family home at Swan Street, Sileby, Leics., together with his step father, Thomas Wills, a labourer, born 1854 in Everdon, Northants and his mother Mary Wills, and his siblings, Edwin, a shoe trade worker, Alice an automatic machine worker, Mary, an automatic machine worker and Ethel, a worsted spinner. On Friday June 15th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – SILEBY. SOLDIER’S FUNERAL.- At Sileby, on Saturday afternoon, the vicar conducted the funeral of Driver Thomas Toone, Royal Artillery, who died from wounds. Much sympathy was shown with the bereaved relatives and friends, and a large number of people gathered. All blinds were drawn. Among beautiful floral tributes were wreaths from the workpeople of several of the factories. The Maiden Boot Factory, at which deceased was formerly employed, was represented by the directors. Members of the Imperial Band, of which he was a member also attended. The bearers were four Sileby soldiers who were home on leave.