George Toplis

Subject: George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:19 pm

Hello all.

My great-great-grandfather fought in the Zulu Wars and the First Boer Wars.

Originally he joined the 94th Regiment of Foot, which was then turned into the 2nd Batallion, Connaught Rangers by the Childers Reforms in 1881.

He fought at Ulundi, met the French Imperial Prince shortly before his death and carried on soldiering (when he was not mining!) until his death in 1940.

I will have a picture of his grave next month, I have a transcript of an interview he gave to a newspaper in the 1920's if you chaps are interested?

Also have some photos of him and his family.

He had 5 sons, 4 of which served in WW1 - one won the MM and 2 were captured by the Germans - yet all survived!!!

I am currentley researching George Toplis' brother, who was in the army (regiment unknown) but who died at a military hospital in Solon, Umballa - india in 1893.

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 62 Location : UK

Great first post. Any chance you could post the photo's

Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:27 pm

John wrote:: Great first post. Any chance you could post the photo's

Yes, just need to scan them in.

Also, he fought in the Second Boer War but was invalided home from Pietermarizburg after 5 months.

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 62 Location : UK

This is starting to look good. Hopefully other members may have, or will find futher information on him. Thanks for joining the forum.. Looking forward to photos.

Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:39 pm

John wrote:: This is starting to look good. Hopefully other members may have, or will find futher information on him. Thanks for joining the forum.. Looking forward to photos.

My pleasure on joining!

I am currentley researching his son's WW1 service - a trip to the KOYLI museum in Doncaster and I am in touch with the chaps at The Rifles barracks in Pontefract who hold the records.

I have slipped an email to the King House museum & barracks in Galway, somewhat of a regimental museum for the Connaught Rangers.

Sadly, the IRA nuked most of the pre-1920's records by bombing the GPO in Dublin during the Irish Civil War.

Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:45 pm

My great great grandfather George Toplis.

The baby on the left is my great grandad Philip, who won the Military Medal in WWI - as he was born in 1897 I suspect this is 1897/98 - shortly before George was recalled and shipped back to Africa for the Second Boer War.

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George in later life, he lived to the ripe old age of 81 (died 1940).

The old soldier signed up for WWI (was stationed at Huddersfield, not sure doing what) and WW2 (deemed too old!).

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Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:55 pm

First class, great to have you on board. Brilliant photos, I'm sure we will be able to add some information. And hopefully find something on his brother.. Salute

Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:12 pm

Thanks for the kind words, so happy I stumpled upon this site Wink

Those photos, it turned out, I had stashed away already scanned.

Next to scan are: his obitury from 1940, some photos of his sons in KOYLI uniform and the plaque commemorating his brother who died in India.

Sadly, George's and his son's Philip's medals are lost in the ether of time... I do check everytime a SAF 1879 and a MM show up on auctions/shops but alas no joy yet!

Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:26 pm

Quote :: Sadly, George's and his son's Philip's medals are lost in the ether of time... I do check everytime a SAF 1879 and a MM show up on auctions/shops but alas no joy yet!

Similar story.
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Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:18 pm

Hi Northernmonkey .
Excellent posts , welcome aboard , as Littlehand has said I'm sure we may find some more info on your G G Grandfather .
Thanks for the fabulous photo's .
Cheers 90th.

Subject: Re - George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:22 pm

Hi Northernmonkey .
This from the Forsyth Medal Roll - South African War 1877-78-79.
94th Regt , Private G. Toplis 65B / 2179 ; Entitled to the Medal with 1879 Clasp .
Cheers 90th.

Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:46 pm

90th wrote:: Hi Northernmonkey .
This from the Forsyth Medal Roll - South African War 1877-78-79.
94th Regt , Private G. Toplis 65B / 2179 ; Entitled to the Medal with 1879 Clasp .
Cheers 90th.

Brilliant mate! Thanks for the info :)

Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:55 pm

Hi NM .
No worries mate , happy to be of some help . Very Happy

. I will keep an eye out for his medal if you are interested , a couple of others on here may also help . I'll check my listings and see if I've ever seen it before . You need to study mo

Cheers 90th. Salute

Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Feb 12, 2013 11:22 pm

90th wrote:: Hi NM .
No worries mate , happy to be of some help . . I will keep an eye out for his medal if you are interested , a couple of others on here may also help . I'll check my listings and see if I've ever seen it before .
Cheers 90th.

Brilliant mate, that'd be great.

Also - 241361 Pte (Later Lcpl) Philip Toplis - Military Medal won during WWI in 'France' - that's all the card says.

It was for saving a comrade and retrieving a Maxim gun under heavy fire.

He was in 5th Btn, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

Subject: George Toplis Wed Feb 13, 2013 1:27 am

Hi NM.
I checked my records and unfortunately I havent come across his Medal .........so far ! .
Cheers 90th. Salute

Subject: George Toplis Wed Feb 13, 2013 2:15 am

Hi NM.
Thought you may be interested in this ; its written by W.E.Montague who was a Captain in the 94th Regt during the zulu war,
about his and the Regiment's time during the war . Nothing earth shattering but it gives you a look at what your GGG'father
endured in 1879 . You need to study mo

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This was the lowest price I could find and I think it's free postage as well . Salute

Cheers 90th.

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 62 Location : UK

Philip Toplis, quite hard to find anything on this chap. There's a lot of infoe on a Percy Toplis. But he was a mutineer.

Subject: Re: George Toplis Fri Feb 15, 2013 9:12 pm

NorthernMonkey wrote:: I am currentley researching George Toplis' brother, who was in the army (regiment unknown) but who died at a military hospital in Solon, Umballa - india in 1893.

UPDATE for those interested.

John Toplis - joined the Derbyshire Regiment (old 95th) in December 1888 - which was an old name for it then as after Childers it became the 2nd Btn Sherwood Foresters.

He is buired over there, I wonder if any military cemeteries remain?

Subject: Re: George Toplis Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:28 pm

Hi Nthn Mky .
Yes , some cemeteries still remain . Gonville Bromhead died of Enteric Fever ( Typhoid ) at Camp Dabhuara , Allahabad , India , on the 9th Feb 1892 . His grave restoration is a thread on here somewhere , as I think other Cemeteries which have British Military Personal interred in them . If anyone will find the cemetery it will be Littlehand , he tends to find all this type of information . Possibly google it and see what comes up ! .
Cheers 90th. You need to study mo

Subject: Re: George Toplis Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:32 pm

Northern Monkey did you see one of my earlier posts about Capt Montague of the 94th Regt , detailing that Regiments roll
in the war ? . As its a reprint from the original there is no index , possibly your GGG'father may get a mention , its a longshot but at least you'll understand what they had to contend with during their time in Sth Africa .
90th Salute

Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Feb 05, 2019 12:57 pm

Hi all.

Just thought I've give a bit of an update, still hunting George's medals down...

...struck gold in November 2018, found his WWI British War Medal on ebay of all places, very grubby and no ribbon but a start!

Just his Queen's Africa Medal, Queen's South Africa Medal and WWI Victoy medal to go!

PS managed to find his wedding details in Fermoy, Co Cork and info that he was stationed at Athlone prior to the 2nd Boer War.

Posts : 3392 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi NorthernMonkey

Great news with regards to one Medal, hopefully others may turn up with time.

Did you ever get a photograph of George's grave?

Andy

Subject: Re: George Toplis Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:38 pm

1879graves wrote:: Hi NorthernMonkey

Great news with regards to one Medal, hopefully others may turn up with time.

Did you ever get a photograph of George's grave?

Andy

Hi Andy.

Sadly the area he and his wife are buried are cleared of headstones.

Did find one of his sons and grandsons headstones though.

Posts : 3392 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi NorthernMonkey

What a shame that George does no longer have a headstone. Sign of the times and for many other as well.
Many thanks for the update.

Andy

Posts : 3470 Join date : 2021-01-04

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South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times - Friday 28 September 1928

» An Interview with George Toplis, 1929
» LEE, R.Q.M.S. George,
» George Stepstone