Alfred Toye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfred Maurice Toye
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Captain Alfred Maurice Toye (right) receiving his Victoria Cross from King George V in 1918.
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| Born | 15 April 1897 Aldershot, Hampshire, England |
| Died | 6 September 1955 (aged 58) Tiverton, Devon, England |
| Buried |
Tiverton Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1912−1948 |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Service number | 1658 |
| Unit | Royal Engineers Middlesex Regiment Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards |  Victoria CrossMilitary Cross Order of the Nile |
Brigadier Alfred Maurice Toye was a very brave English soldier. He was born on April 15, 1897, in Aldershot, England, and passed away on September 6, 1955. He is famous for receiving the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for bravery a soldier can get. This special medal is given for amazing courage when facing the enemy in British and Commonwealth forces.
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A Soldier's Life
Alfred Toye was born in Aldershot in 1897. His father, James Robert Toye, was an Army Pensioner. Alfred went to the Garrison School in Aldershot. Before joining the Army, he was an active Boy Scout. He even became a patrol leader and the first King's Scout in his troop.
In 1912, he joined the Royal Engineers as a bugler. Later, during World War I, he became an officer in the Middlesex Regiment.
Incredible Bravery in World War I
Alfred Toye was 20 years old during World War I. He was an acting Captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment. On March 25, 1918, in France, he showed amazing bravery and leadership.
- He took back a military post three times after the enemy had captured it.
- When three of his other posts were cut off, he fought his way through the enemy. He did this with one other officer and six men.
- He then led a counter-attack with 70 men. He held a new line until more soldiers arrived to help.
- In two later battles, he helped his battalion retreat safely.
- He also took back a line that had been given up before he arrived.
- Even though he was wounded twice, he kept fighting and stayed on duty.
For these incredibly brave actions, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Life After the War
A week after receiving his Victoria Cross, Alfred Toye married Flora Robertson in Aldershot. They had two daughters, Joan and Enid.
From 1925 to 1932, he worked as a chief instructor at the Royal Egyptian Military College. He also led the War Office Schools of Chemical Warfare from 1940 to 1942. Later, he taught at the Staff College in Camberley.
From 1934 to 1944, he served actively with the 6th Airborne Division. He also worked with General Headquarters in the Middle East from 1945 to 1948. He reached the rank of Brigadier while serving in World War II.
Alfred Toye retired to Tiverton, Devon in England. He passed away there in 1955 and is buried in Tiverton Cemetery.
Remembering a Hero
On March 25, 2018, a special memorial was unveiled for Alfred Toye. This was 100 years after the brave actions that earned him his Victoria Cross. The memorial is in the Municipal Gardens in his hometown of Aldershot.
Victoria Cross Display
Alfred Toye's Victoria Cross medal is on display for everyone to see. You can find it at the National Army Museum in Chelsea, England.
Images for kids
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Toye's grave in Tiverton Cemetery in 2017.
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The memorial plaque to Toye in the Municipal Gardens in his native Aldershot.
