John Henry And Walter Charles Tookey
John and Walter were born in 1893 and 1895 respectively, both in Leicester, to Charles Tookey, a shoe hand, and Mary Jane (nee Corrall).
They had 3 children-
John Henry 1893
Elizabeth Louise 1894
Walter Charles 1895
In 1901 census the family lived at 37 Farringdon Street. In 1904 Charles died aged 35.
In 1911 census the family were at the same address and the stayed there through Mary’s life and that of her daughter, Elizabeth (known as Louie). Both boys worked as tailors pressers.
On 3.6.1913 John left Bristol for Quebec on Royal Edward and returned with the Canadian Infantry.
John enlisted into the Canadian Infantry on 12.4.1916 stating he had previously served for 18 months in Leicestershire Royal Horse Artillery Territorials and had recently been working as a cook. He became Private 467661 43rd Battalion Canadian Infantry. John Died on 28.9.1918 and is buried at Crest Cemetery, Fontaine-Notre-Dame, France.
Walter joined up in February 1915, aged 20, and became Corporal F/519 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, Duke of Camebridge’s Own (footballers battalion). He was Killed In Action on 17.2.1917, aged 22, and he is buried at Regina Trench Cemetery, Somme, France.
Walter’s photograph appears in- Illustrated Chronicle 21.4.1917 pg.6. Leicester Mercury 21.4.1917 pg.6.
