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Ralph Victor Toynbee F/Mc Married: 1925 Olive Bridget Monins F/M [Monins-15] c | ||||||||
| Michael Robert Toynbee [CFT #1190] Born: 1925-Nov-26 Died: 2020-Oct-26 |
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| b Marylebone, London d Eastbourne, E Sussex OBITUARY Rifles/Royal Green Jackets Data base 6.11.2020 Michael died peacefully in Eastbourne Hospital after a very short illness on 26th October 2020, aged 94 years and 11 months. He was born on 26th November 1925 in London. He was the eldest of four children, three boys and a girl, to Ralph and Bridget (nee Monins). His father, Ralph, had served with the Rifle Brigade in the later part of WW1, being invalided out of the army in November 1920. He was a mainstay of RB golf in the 1920’s and 30’s and was on the RB Committee for many years. Michael was educated at St. Peter’s, Seaford and Winchester College, where he was a Commoner prefect. He was a private rifleman before being commissioned in December 1944. He served in Wales preparing for the land invasion of Japan, which fortunately did not happen due to the dropping of the atom bomb. He then served with 2RB in Germany, first as a platoon commander then as Assistant Adjt. to Robin Hastings and then Vic Turner VC. Promoted Lieut. in November 1947. He was a brilliant shot, representing the battalion in BAOR and Bisley. In 1948 he came 16th in the Army Hundred and 17th in the Army Championship. His next posting was as a GSO 3 in Istanbul. He was always reluctant to discuss this, but he learnt Turkish and had a Turkish girlfriend, which concerned his mother. Then to the War Office as a T/Captain in military intelligence, where his brief was the Koreas. When the war broke out, he had to telephone No. 10, speak to Mr. Atlee the Prime Minister to inform him that Mr. Truman, the American President, was actively considering using the atom bomb on North Korea. This resulted in Atlee flying post haste to Washington to persuade Truman to think again. Michael then, as a Capt, together with the CIGS none other than FM The Viscount Slim, briefed the cabinet on a daily basis for several weeks earning high praise from Slim and Ernest Bevin, the Foreign Secretary. Michael left the army in March 1952, joining his father at the Discount Broking company of Jessel, Toynbee. He remained there until he retired 35 years later as the chairman of a much-enlarged group. He had served with LRBR from 1952-1959. Away from his distinguished City career he was High Sheriff of East Sussex from 1985/6 and subsequently a Deputy Lieutenant. He was involved in numerous local charities. He was churchwarden of Wadhurst church for 21 years, a longstanding JP, a governor and then Chairman of the Governors of Ardingly College for 22 years. The Gardener Arts Centre in Brighton received his close attention. He gave a great deal of his time to Chichester Cathedral, with the Bishop awarding him the Order of St. Richard last year. He was also Hon. Treasurer of Sussex University with, on his retirement, the then Chancellor Lord Attenborough awarding him an Hon. Doctor of Letters. His younger brother Peter, who went on to be a Repton schoolmaster, did his National Service in the RB and his youngest brother Simon did a Short Service Commission in 3GJ/RB from 1963/65. Michael, when younger was an occasional golfer and always a keen tennis player. He was an excellent shot, but his great love was fishing, making an annual expedition to Glen Etive Michael married Yvonne Cleland in 1953, who predeceased him in 1996. He is survived by his son and daughter. He had a very full life; he was a GOOD MAN. |
1: 1959 Robert Mark Toynbeec W/C 2: 1961 Nichola J (Nicky) Toynbeec H/C | |||||||
| 2 Children | ||||||||
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