Corporal Frederick George Topham

Toronto's Historical Plaques

Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

Corporal Frederick George Topham, V.C. 1917-1974

Three plaques in Toronto celebrate the achievements of Fred Topham. The first is an Ontario Heritage Foundation plaque which can be found at the rear of the former Etobicoke City Hall, on the south-east corner of The West Mall and Burnhamthorpe Road. The plaque reads:

Born in Toronto, Topham was educated here before working in the mines at Kirkland Lake. He enlisted on August 3, 1942, and served at home and abroad as a medical orderly. On March 24, 1945, while serving with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, he defied heavy enemy fire to treat casualties sustained in a parachute drop east of the Rhine, near Wesel. Rejecting treatment for his own severe face wound, he continued to rescue the injured for six hours. While returning to his company, he saved three occupants of a burning carrier which was in danger of exploding. For these exceptional deeds, Topham was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for valour in the British Commonwealth.

Location Co-ordinates: 43.643933 -79.565123

Photo by Alan L Brown - March 2004

The second plaque is located to the left just inside the entrance to Sanctuary Cemetery where this photo of his grave marker was taken. The plaque reads:

For his gallantry in the face of enemy fire on March 24, 1945, Corporal Fred Topham, 27, a medical orderly in the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, received the Victoria Cross, the Commonwealth's highest award for bravery on the field of battle. In one of the final engagements of World War II, his battalion had parachuted into a strongly-defended area east of the River Rhine. While treating casualties, Cpl Topham saw two medical orderlies killed while giving aid to another wounded man. Taking over from the dead orderlies under intense fire, Cpl Topham was shot in the face. Despite severe bleeding and pain, he dressed the soldier's wounds and carried him to safety. Refusing treatment for his own injury and continuing to disregard withering enemy small-arms, rifle and machine gun fire. Cpl Topham worked steadily to aid and bring in wounded men. Hours later, his own wound treated, despite being ordered to evacuate, he returned to duty, enroute coming across a Bren Gun Carrier which had received a direct hit. Enemy mortar bombs were landing, the carrier was burning fiercely and its ammunition was exploding. Regardless, while under fierce attack, he rescued the three occupants of the carrier. Although one died, Cpl Topham's actions undoubtedly saved the lives of the other two men. The Toronto-born soldier showed gallantry of the highest order. For six hours, most of the time in great pain, Cpl Fred Topham performed a sustained series of acts of outstanding bravery, and his magnificent and selfless courage inspired all those who witnessed it. Cpl Topham and his wife Mary are interred in Section A, 147C.

Location Co-ordinates: 43.697689 -79.533838

Photo by Alan L Brown - March 2007

The third is a Toronto Parks and Recreation plaque located on the west side of Topham Park. The plaque reads:

Fred Topham was an early resident of East York, now part of the City of Toronto. On March 24, 1945, while serving as a medical orderly with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, he defied heavy enemy fire to treat casualties sustained in a mass parachute assault east of Rhine River near Wesel Germany. Although painfully wounded himself, he continued to rescue the injured for six hours. While returning to his Company, he saved three occupants of a burning carrier which was in danger of exploding. For these exceptional deeds, Topham was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for valour in the British Commonwealth. This park was named in honour of Fred Topham shortly after Canadian troops returned home following WWII.

Location Co-ordinates: 43.708656 -79.306548

Photo by Alan L Brown - September 2006

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Posted June 5, 2008
Pretty Good but could use more pictures

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