Name
Frank Topham
Circa 1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/06/1917
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
31340
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
‘A’ Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
II. F. 2.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Frank was born around 1888 in Arlesey, Beds, his parents were Frederick and Clara Topham.
In 1891 the family were living at Albert Road, Arlesey. Present were both parents: Frederick (230 and a general labourer, and Clara (25) and their son Frank (3). They were living in Frederick’s parent home, they were George (64) and Betsy (63) and his brother William.
By 1901 they were living in their own home in Albert Road, Arlesey. Present were both parents, with Frederick now working as a stationary engine driver. Their children were: Frank (12), Alexie (10), Walter (7) and Nora Eleanor (2).
Then by 1911 the family were living at Hitchin Road, Arlesey, Hitchin, Herts. Present were both parents, Frederick still working as a stationary engine driver. The census recorded they had been married for 22 years with 5 children, all living. All the children listed above were present, with Frank a grocer’s assistant at 15. They had been joined by Arthur Edward (6).
Frank married Lily Maud Presland in 1915.
Before joining the army he was a grocer's assistant at Messrs G. Halsey & Son of Hitchin and he was Assistant Secretary at Arlesey Wesleyan Church Sunday School. His wife was infants' mistress at St. Mary's School in Hitchin. At that time they were probably living in Bearton Road, Hitchin
Officially he was recorded as born in Langford, Beds. and was living in Hitchin, when he enlisted there.
Wartime Service
He was allocated Regimental Number 31340 and served in the 7th Battalion of the Regiment. He was a member of a Lewis-gun Section and died after being wounded and badly gassed in Belgium. A few weeks earlier a bullet had passed through his gas helmet. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission states that he was killed on the 18th June 1917 which is less probable as the Battalion was at Monchy-au-Bois on that date in bivouacs.
At 9.30 pm on the 17th July 1917 550 men were sent as working parties burying cables, carrying, etc. There were four killed and five wounded in ‘A’ Company. This was somewhere between Reninghelst and Zillebeke Lake. The wounded men could be expected to go to the Mendinghem Casualty Clearing Station near Proven. The name was coined by the English soldiery as a corruption of the Flemish language. Frank was recorded as gassed shell wound. Frank was recorded as dying in No 12 Casualty Clearing Station France.
He was buried in Plot 2, Row F, Grave 2 in the Mendinghem Military Cemetery, West Vlaanderen in Belgium. A private inscription on the headstone reads "In his steps". The same stone also records 40930 Drummer Field, Royal Dublin Fusiliers who died on the 19th July 1917. They lie in a shared grave.
Additional Information
After his death £0 16s 17d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow, Lily, on 20 December 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to her on 2 September 1918.
His pension cards record Lily Maud as his widow (b 12/5/1889) and as his dependant, living at 16 Bearton Road, Hitchin. She was awarded a grant £5 and then a pension of 13s 9d a week from 21 January 1918.
Probate was obtained by his widow on 26 April 1918, with the value of his effects £88 4s 4d. At that time his address was given as 108 Bearton Road, Hitchin.
Frank had a brother, Walter, who served and who was also killed, but he was not recorded with a connection to Hertfordshire.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
