John was raised in Lurgan, Northern Ireland and Manchester, England. He served in the British Army for 9 years including combat service in Austria and in Germany during World War II. He was wounded in combat in Austria.  John was the grandson of Mary Tinneny Murray of Goladuff, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland and the son of Andrew Toland and Katherine Murray of Derrykenny, Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

Photo: John Toland.  Courtesy of  Andy Toland.