Main CPGW Record
Surname: TOPLEY
Forename(s): William Mee
Place of Birth: Cockerham, Lancashire
Service No: 155538
Rank: Gunner
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Garrison Artillery
Battalion / Unit: 133rd Siege Battery
Division: ---
Age: 31
Date of Death: 1918-01-10
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: P. V. N. 3B.
CWGC Cemetery: ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)
Additional Information:
William Mee Topley was the son of Samuel and Mary Ann Topley, née Hudspith. Samuel was born at Ruddington, Nottinghamshire and Mary in Crosthwaite Parish near Keswick, Cumberland.
1891 Wakefield, Yorkshire Census: 43, Howard Street - William M. Topley, aged 4 years, born Cockerham, Lancashire. [William was living with his uncle and aunt, John William and Sarah Jane Harrison.]
1901 Cockerham, Lancashire Census: North Lodge - William M. Topley, aged 14 years, born Cockerham, son of Samuel and [stepson of] Annie Topley. [William’s mother died in 1889 and Samuel married Annie Whitaker in 1891; Annie was born at Addingham, Yorkshire.]
1911 Lancaster, Lancashire Census: 6, Queen's Place, King Street - William Mee Topley, aged 25 years, born Cockerham, Lancashire. [William was boarding with Walter and Mary Shaw.]
William was married to Edith Whitaker in 1913. Edith, who was born at Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, in 1888, was the niece of his father's second wife, Annie.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Gnr William M. Topley, 155538, Royal Garrison Artillery.
William is commemorated on the Lancaster War Memorial.
A short biography of William is included in: ‘Swaledale & Wharfedale Remembered – Aspects of Dales’ life through peace and war’ by Keith Taylor (2006).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
TOPLEY W., R.G.A., son-in-law of Mrs. F. Whitaker, Rose Cottage, [Bolton Abbey], died in hospital, Dover.
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Gunner William Mee TOPLEY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Garrison Artillery
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
21 December 1917
BOLTON ABBEY – WOUNDED
Mrs. W. Topley, daughter of Mrs. F. W. Whittaker, Rose Cottage, Bolton Abbey, has received news that her husband, Pte. W. Topley, R.G.A., has been severely wounded in the left ankle and above the knee and is now in hospital in France. Pte. Topley enlisted on April 13th 1917, went to France on July 13th 1917 and he was wounded on December 8th. Before enlisting, Pte. Topley was manager for Messrs. Satterthwaite, grocers, Lancaster.
WOUNDED IN FRANCE
Mrs. Frank Whitaker, of Rose Cottage, formerly postmistress at Bolton Abbey, has received information from her son-in-law, Gunner Topley, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, that he is lying in hospital in France suffering from wounds in the left ankle and knee. Gunner Topley enlisted on the 13th of April, and went out to France on July 13th. He was wounded on December 8th. Prior to enlistment he was employed at Lancaster in the grocery trade.
18 January 1918
BOLTON ABBEY – SOLDIER DIES 1N HOSPITAL
Mrs. Frank Whitaker, of Rose Cottage, Bolton Abbey, has received news that her son-in-law, Gunner W. M. Topley, R.G.A., has died in hospital at Dover from diphtheria. Gunner Topley was severely wounded in the left ankle and above the knee in France on the 8th of December, which resulted in his having his leg amputated and was moved to England and died as stated. Gunner Topley enlisted on April 13th, and went to France on July 19th. Previous to joining up he was employed by Messrs. Satterthwaite, grocers, Lancaster.
25 January 1918
BOLTON ABBEY – THE LATE GUNNER TOPLEY
We reproduce a photograph of Gunner W. M. Topley, R.G.A., son-in-law of Mrs. Frank Whitaker, Rose Cottage, Bolton Abbey, who, as reported in our issue last week, died in hospital at Dover from diphtheria. He was wounded in France in the left leg on December 8th, and the limb had to be amputated. He enlisted on April 13th, and went to France on July 13th. He was in civil life in the employ of Messrs. Satterthwaite, grocers, Lancaster. We offer our deep sympathy to his relatives.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
21 December 1917
BOLTON ABBEY
PRIVATE W. TOPLEY SEVERELY WOUNDED
Mrs. Frank Whittaker. of Rose Cottage, Bolton Abbey, has received news that her son-in-law, Private W. Topley, R.G.A., has been severely wounded in the ankle and above the knee, and is now in hospital in France. Private Topley married the third daughter of the late Mr. Frank Whittaker and Mrs. Whittaker, for many years posts master and postmistress respectively at Bolton Abbey. He enlisted in the R.G.A. in April, 1917, went to France in July, and was wounded on December 8th. Before enlisting he was in the employ of Messrs. Satterthwaite, grocers, of Lancaster.
18 January 1918
TOPLEY – Died in hospital at Dover, Pte. W. Topley, of the R.G.A., son-in-law of Mrs. F. Whitaker, of Rose Cottage, Bolton Abbey.
18 January 1918
BOLTON ABBEY
DEATH OF PTE. W. TOPLEY – News has been received by Mrs. F. Whitaker, of Rose Cottage, Bolton Abbey, that her son-in-law, Pte. W. Topley, of the R.G.A. (who was reported in the issue of the Pioneer of Dec. 21st as being severely wounded) had died in hospital at Dover from diphtheria. Pte. Topley was severely wounded on Dec. 8th, when he had his ankle shattered, and had his leg amputated in France. He managed to pull through, only to succumb later to another deadly disease. Much sympathy is felt for his wife, who of late has only been in indifferent health.
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