Harold Purday Toon

Tracesofwar.co.uk: Hallamshire War Diary September 1944:
23/9/1944: 2 Cdn (Canadian) Div who were to our left secured a crossing and erected a Br (bridge). The Bn received warning order to move not before 10:00 hrs 24 Sept behind 4 Lincolns throught Lierre and Oostmalle and there to cross the Turnhout Canal. In the evening a dance was held in co-operation with the Belgians, it was a hugh success as it was discovered that the Yorkshire accent could be understood by the Flemings.

24/9/1944: The Bn moved fwd and on reaching Oostmalle was ordered to come in on the right flank of the Bde, moving through the woods in squares 93069406, to effect a crossing on that sector. Contact was made with a Bn of Armee Secrete. Their C.O. was att'd to Bn HQ and guides were provided to lead the coys through the woods. The Carrier PL (carrier platoon -lightly armoured tracked vehicles)tried to draw fire from the far bank without success. 'A' sqn Recce Regt reported enemy movement had been seen on the far bank. This was confirmed at 14:25 hrs when Carrier Pl reported movement at 953071. 'C'coy had moved the canal bank in the centre of the sector and 'B' coy on the right. 'B' coy reported snipers on the far bank. orders were received from the Brigadier at 18:00 hrs, 4 Lincolns were to cross the canal at 935075 and the Hallams were to make a diversionary crossing on the right. The C.O. decided to put 'D' coy across at 23:30 hrs at 955070 through 'C' coy. At 23:30 hrs 'D' coy began to cross. The crossing place, however was immediately subjected to small arms fire from the far bank at point blank range. It was impossible to launch a boat across the high bank, and Capt D.R. Bell was seriously wounded. Although the enemy apparently had no automatic weapons the boat was riddled with bullets every time it was placed on the bank. The coy was therefore ordered to desist from the attempt to cross. Shortly after midnight the I.O. was sent to Bde HQ to explain the situation. The Brigadier ordered that as 4 Lincolns had crossed the canal without opposition, there was no need for Hallams to cross the canal. The diversion was however to be maintained. Accordingly the bulk of the Bn was withdrawn leaving a pl (platoon) of 'A', 'B' and 'D' coys under command of 'D' coy HQ on the bank to maintain fire.
Casualties: officers wounded: Capt D R Bell, OR (other ranks) wounded 1.

25/9/1944: 1/4 K.O.Y.L.I passed through 4 Lincolns to take the village of Ryckevorsel 9209. The Bn moved up behind K.O.Y.L.I and was ordered to move fwd on the axis Merxplas 0010 -Poppel 1219. 1/4 K.O.Y.L.I and 'A' Sqn Recc Regt found many enemy to the North East and West of the village and was hotly engaged. It was found impossible to proceed along the axis. Accordingly the C.O. decided to move 'B' coy along track 936076-951093 and 'A' & 'B' coys remaining near 933093 hoping by this means to by pass resistance and push along the axis. 'B' coy made good progress through the woods and 'C' coy were brought to clear the east of 'B' coy. 'B' coy reached 951093 without meeting opposition, but 'C' coy encountered the enemy in the neighbourhood of Black Heide 9508 and were counter attacked. They succeeded however in fighting their way through to the main road after losing Lieut Toon and 3 O.Rs killed. 'D' coy were in the mean time brought up from the south bank of the canal 'A' sqn Recce reported thet the enemy had made off to the east. 'D' coy were accordingly pushed along the axis after them, being instructed to keep at least 50 yrds away from the road itself. Unfortunately they moved along ditches on either side of the road and consequently encountered heavy shell fire. Which was all the more effective as the road was lined with trees, causing the shells to burst in the air, the men were therefore naturally without cover and suffered many casualties incl Capt A Pearce. The coy became somewhat demoralised but were led forward again by Capt J Hall and pulled together by Major J Boucher, who was wounded but remained fwd and carried on till dark. It was getting dark so the Bn reorganised in area 950094 where a good field of fire could be obtained.
Casualties: Officers: killed Capt W A Pearce and 2 Lt H P Toon, wounded Mjr J Boucher. ORs Killed 12 wounded 10.

Old Elizabethans Service Roll: 2nd Lieu Harold Purday Toon was killed in action in the advance from Normandy to the Dutch frontier on 25th September 1944. 2nd Lieu Toon was a platoon commander of the Hallamshires. He was killed in attempting to force a way through enemy defences at Ruckevorsel (Rijkevorsel). He was originally buried at Demeer close to the scene of action but the body has since been reburied in the official cemetery at Leopoldsville in the near vicinity.
He joined the forces in February 1940 and while in the R.A.S.C he assisted in the evacuation from France and later in 1942 he participated in the landing in North Africa. Whilst serving in Tunisia he was recommended for an immediate commission but elected to return to England for an O.C.T.U as an Infantry Officer.
2nd Lieu Toon and his men received great praise for their part in the capture of Le Harve. His Colonel wrote " I've lost my best Subaltern"
2nd Lieu Toon and his men received great praise for their part in the capture of Le Harve.

Capt Douglas Richmond Bell of the Hallamshire Regt died of his wounds on 19th October 1944 in England. He had been a renowned sportsman and had won a silver medal in the discus event at the 1934 Empire Games (now the Commonwealth Games)
Major Boucher survived the war.