2977189 Sgt John Tonner, 1st Bn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

William and Elsie Tonner of Bridgeton, Glasgow lost three sons in the Second World War. I was unaware of this when I randomly selected John Tonner's name from the 19 service personnel who died on the 14th October 1941 but there it is, in black and white, on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) site:

2977189 Sgt John Tonner, 1st Bn, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, "son of William and Elsie Tonner of Bridgeton, Glasgow; husband of Annie Tonner. His brothers, William and James Davidson Tonner, also died on service."

John Tonner was born in Glasgow and was still living there when he enlisted. He was 29 years old when he died and is buried in Asmara War Cemetery in Eritrea. CWGC reports:

"The Italian stronghold of Keren was taken by Commonwealth forces at the end of March 1941 and the retreating Italian force pursued to Asmara, which was occupied on 1 April. Asmara War Cemetery contains the graves of those killed in the latter stages of the East African campaign, or who died subsequently at the garrison stationed at Asmara. The cemetery contains 273 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 14 of them unidentified. There are also six war graves of other nationalities and five non-war burials."

2338238 Driver William Tonner of the Royal Corps of Signals was the first of the Tonner brothers to be killed. He was 23 years old when he died. He has no known grave and is one of 4506 men commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial. His date of death is also uncertain; CWGC states that he died between "between 27/05/1940 and 02/06/1940."

FX95018 Air Mechanic Second Class James Davidson Tonner, the youngest of the three brothers, died on 21st April 1942. He was twenty years old and was serving aboard HMS Medina. He is buried in Glasgow (Riddrie Park) Cemetery.

Thus in three consecutive years, William and Elsie Tonner lost three sons. I have no idea whether there were other Tonner brothers who served and survived, but in any event, the family certainly paid a heavy price.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (1939-1945 Roll of Honour)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission