Private John Topping.
37120 1/4th Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Died of Wounds 16th April 1918, aged 18.
Courtesy of Chris Faulkner
(John’s brother William was killed 8th Nov 1915.)
John was born 25 Jan 1899 in Burnley. The son of Alfred Topping and Bridget Barritt, they married in the Sept quarter of 1888 in Burnley.
The growing family were still at Cross St in the 1901 census. Alfred 38, Bridget 38, peter 20 miner, Alfred 12, William 10, John 2, Mary 8 and Annie 6.
In the 1911 census the family had moved to 9 Cow Lane, Burnley. Alfred 48, Bridget 48, Alfred 22 labourer, William 21 labourer, Mary 18 spinner, Annie 16 spinner, John 12. Their parents had been married 32 years and had had 9 children 4 of whom had died.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 27th April 1918: From Gunshot Wound In Head.
His gunshot head wound caused the death of Private John Topping 19, (37120) King's Own Royal Lancasters onApril 16th. Private Topping was the youngest son of Mr Alfred Topping 11 Cow Lane Burnley. He joined up on March 22nd 1917, and went on active service on March 17th this year. Formerly he was employed at the waste shop, Grimshaw Street. He was on the St Mary's Roll of Honour. A brother William, was killed in France in 1916. Of two others, Peter is in an Eastern theatre of war, and Alfred is at Scarborough.
Lived at 11 Cow Lane.
John left his effects to his father Alfred.
John was buried in Les Baraques Cemetery, France: Grave Ref; III.D.9A. Son of Alfred and Bridget Topping, of 11, Cow Lane, Burnley, Lancs.
Les Baraques Cemetery - Courtesy of Chris Faulkner
