James Gwilym Tooth was a boy of 14 years when he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a trumpeter, following his father's footsteps into Army life.
He was born in Woolwich, Kent in 1891.
In 1901 the family are living at Shoeburyness barracks in Essex. His father James is 38 years old & a Staff Sergeant in the R.G.A, his mother Emily is 34 & at home looking after 10 year old James, Irene 8, Gwendoline 7 & 2 year old Dorothy.
In 1911 he is living at 6 Hibbert Street with his family. His father William George is 44 & is a self employed straw hat manufacturer working at home, with wife Mary 46, assisting him. Kate Elizabeth is 21 & a straw hat machinist, William 19 is a labourer in a foundry, Olive May 10 & 7 year old George Percy, are at school. Horace is 15 years old & is a boot repairer.
