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Patrick Toohey, 1870-1915

Of Lancashire/Irish background, Toohey was a professional soldier and veteran of the Boer War. Those who survive him believe that he was killed during the second battle of Ypres in May 1915. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

J. Ford dedicates this plaque to him:

I suspect Patrick was typical of many professional soldiers of his generation who had fought in earlier colonial wars. The "old contemptibles" faced a new type of confrontation in scale and enormity quite unlike any previous war. They all fully deserve our respect and gratitude.