Alfred Toye
Alfred Maurice Toye VC MC (15 April 1897-6 September 1955) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Toye enlisted into the Royal Engineers as a trumpeter in 1911 before being commissioned into the Middlesex Regiment.
He was 20 years old, and an Acting Captain in the 2nd Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own), British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 25 March 1918 at Eterpigny Ridge, France, Captain Toye displayed conspicuous bravery and fine leadership. He three times re-established a post which had been captured by the enemy and, when his three other posts were cut off, he fought his way through the enemy with one officer and six men. He counter-attacked with 70 men and took up a line which he maintained until reinforcements arrived. In two subsequent operations he covered the retirement of his battalion and later re-established a line that had been abandoned before his arrival. He was twice wounded but remained on duty.
He later achieved the rank of Brigadier.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Army Museum (Chelsea, England).
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- The Sapper VCs (Gerald Napier, 1998)
- VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)
External links
- Royal Engineers Museum Sappers VCs
- Location of grave and VC medal (Devonshire)
- Find-A-Grave biography