Private William Topham

Army Number: 10169

Battalion: 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment.

Born and lived in Derby. Son of William and Harriett Topham, of 33, Brook Street, Derby. Husband of Eva Topham. He was an engine cleaner prior to enlisting on 16th October 1906 at Derby. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment, on 19th February 1907 and went to India, from 5th January 1909 until 2nd September 1914 with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment. He went to France on 4th November 1914 and returned to England, on 1st December 1914 wounded. He returned to France on 18th March 1915 and returned to England on 15th June 1915 wounded again. He was posted to the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment and went to Gallipoli, on 23rd August 1915. He returned to England on 24th January 1916 wounded for the third time, then returned to France on 16th September 1916. He then suffered gunshot wounds to his right leg on 9th October 1917 and returned to England on 10th October 1917. He was posted to the 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment, on 15th November 1917. He was treated at Aldershot Military Hospital for his gunshot wounds and transferred to Connaught Hospital diagnosed with neurasthenia (shell shock). He was discharged unfit for military service 4th April 1918. He died on 13th November 1919, aged 30.

Buried: Derby (Nottingham Road) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Gen. 36341 (C.).