Frederick George Topham, VC (10 August 1917 – 31 May 1974) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in Commonwealth forces. He was from Toronto, and was a medical orderly with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. His unit took part in the Battle of Normandy and stayed in France until early September 1944. Then, the unit was involved from March to May 1945 in operations in Germany. It was in those operations, that he received his Victoria Cross. Post-war, he worked for Toronto Hydro and kept a low-profile. He died suddenly in Toronto in 1974 at age 56.

Early life

Frederick George Topham was born in York Township, Toronto, Canada, on 10 August 1917. He grew up at 631 Beresford Avenue. Topham attended King George Public School and Runnymede High School, which is now known as Runnymede Collegiate Institute. In September, after almost three months of fighting, the division was withdrawn to England.

Victoria Cross citation

He was 27 years old, and a corporal (medical orderly) in the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, Canadian Army during the Second World War when the following deeds took place for which he was awarded the VC:

Post-War

Topham's heroism was acknowledged publicly with a parade and civic reception in Toronto on 8 August 1945. 100 members of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion served as his honour guard. At Toronto City Hall's square, he received gifts from Toronto mayor Robert Saunders and York Township reeve F.J. McRea.

After the war, Topham took little part in military affairs. On November 10, 1945, he laid the cornerstone of the new Sunnybrook Memorial Hospital for Veterans. Topham served briefly as a constable with the Toronto Police Department before moving onto a career as an emergency troubleman, a first responder to electrical system issues, with Toronto Hydro. He is buried at Sanctuary Park Cemetery, in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke. Over 30 years later, a plaque recounting his Victoria Cross gallantry was placed there on 25 March 2007 by members of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Association.

Legacy

Topham's medals were on loan to the Canadian War Museum, but were not permanently on display. His widow, Mary Topham, did not bequeath the medal to the museum, or to anyone else, in her will. So, the will's executors decided it was in the beneficiaries' best interest to sell the medal.

The Corporal Fred Topham, VC Fundraising Project was formed by members of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Association and The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada to retain the medal in Canada. In mid-December 2004, the fundraising project exceeded its $275,000 goal and raised $300,000, allowing them to meet the 31 December deadline and acquire Topham's medals from his extended family. On 24 March 2005, on the 60th anniversary of Corporal Topham's VC action, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Association presented Topham's medals to the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, where they are on permanent display.

The Ontario Heritage Foundation, erected a plaque at the Etobicoke Civic Centre in 1980 commemorating Corporal Frederick Topham, V.C. (1917–74). This plaque has since been erected outside Runnymede College Institute.

A two-hectare park in Toronto's East York neighbourhood, near St. Clair Avenue East and O'Connor Drive was named for Topham. It features three baseball diamonds, two lit tennis courts, a wading pool, a children's playground, and the Topham Park Community Centre and Clubhouse.

See also

  • George J. Peters posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for an action during the same operation, on the same day
  • Stuart S. Stryker posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for an action during the same operation, on the same day

References

  • Biography and Photography of Fred Topham by The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Preservation Association C Company