Private John Topley
John Topley was born on 19 February 1897 at Mullahead, near Tandragee, County Armagh, the sixth of seven children of agricultural labourer James Topley and his wife Isabella (née Cordner). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 13 Coronation Row, Mullahead, with his parents and four surviving siblings.
On 23 February 1917 he married Evelyn Holland (née McCann) in the Knocklamuckley Church of Ireland Parish Church, County Armagh. (She was the widow of Albert Holland of the 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, who had been killed on the Somme on 1 July 1916.) Their child James was born at Moyraverty on 16 March 1918.
Topley enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Portadown on 9 October 1917 (regiment number not known at present – Corps of Hussars No.71977). He was described as standing 5' 6½" tall, with a fresh complexion, light brown hair and brown eyes. He gave his occupation as a labourer.
He trained at the regiment's reserve base at Antrim, but was reported to have deserted on 22 March 1918, six days after the birth of his son. Whether he subsequently returned to duty is not known at present.
At least one of Topley's brothers, Joseph, also served in the war, in the 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (No.14714). He was accidentally drowned at Seaford, Sussex, on 18 August 1915 (see article below).
Larne Times and Weekly Telegraph, 28 August 1915
This page last updated 11 January 2024.