Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Sergeant

Army Number : 12353

Unit : 7th Bn

Biography :

Sam Toogood served in 7th Bn The Leicestershire Regiment during the First World War, entering France on 29.07.1915. Awarded the M.M. (see London Gazette 27.10.1916, page 10485) for his actions when a Corporal on 29 .6.1916 (two days before the start of the Battle of the Somme) when a party of 7th Bn raided the German trenches near Bailleulmont, during which he was wounded. 7th Bn's War Diary states, "Gallantry was displayed by No. 1 Section B Squad, altho' nearly all wounded, continued to fight until their objective was reached. 2Lt Pickering, Sgt Jordan, Cpl Toogood... were especially good." He was a Sergeant when he was medically discharged. When he married on 26.04.1919, his residence was Squire's Gate Military Hospital, Blackpool.

Jack was serving with the North Staffs Rgt and was also the recipient of the MM. Unfortunately Jack was KIA on the 4 September 1918.

Samuel was seriously injured on the 16 June 1917 at Moyeneville where he sustained significant gunshot injuries to both legs and arms. After repatriation to England he spent the next 2years in various hospitals undergoing surgery for fractures, removal of shrapnel and skin grafts as a result of infected wounds. It was during this time he met his future wife Amy Rusdale.

He was discharged from service in March 1920 but remained significantly disabled for the rest of his life.

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Press item Burton Observer Saturday, June 15, 1918:

OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY - An Interesting Quartette

.......... SARGEANT SAM TOOGOOD, MM 7th Leicester Regiment, of Branston, Burton. He enlisted in September 1914, and has twice been mentioned for distinguished conduct in the field, and has twice been wounded. He gained the Military Medal for bravery in the Somme Battle, and is at present in hospital severely wounded. Prior to enlisting he was employed at Messrs. Ind Coop and Company's brewery.

Private Jack Toogood, MM, 2nd 5th North Staffords, of 426 Anglesey Road. He has been in France 15 months, being the first n his battalion to win the distinction. By a sad coincidence, his mother and also his brother-in-law died on the day that he won the coveted award. He was formerly employed by Messrs. Bass, Ratcliffe and Gretton, Ltd. The fact is particularly noteworthy that the brothers are Military Medallists a double distinction claimed by few local families.

Date of Birth : 6.9.1881

Place of Birth : Anslow, Staffs

Date of Death : 1946

Place of Death : Burton-on-Trent, Staffs

Civil Occupation : Railway Labourer 1911 Census

Period of Service : 1915-19

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : France & Flanders