Private William Topping.
17123 9th Scottish Rifles.
Missing in action 8th November 1915, aged 25.
(William’s brother John was killed 16 April 1918.)
William was born in the Sept quarter of 1890 in Burnley. The son of Alfred Topping and Bridget Barritt. In the 1891 census the family was living at 7 Cross St, Burnley. Alfred 27 a weaver was born in Preston, Lancs. Bridget 25 weaver, Peter 10, Alfred 2 and Willie 9 months all were born 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.
William married Ellen Hodgson on the 22nd Feb 1913 at St James Church, Burnley.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 27th November 1915: ROLL OF HONOUR.
TOPPING. Killed in action on November 8th in France. Private (17123) William Topping of the 9th Scottish Rifles, aged 25 years. From wife and children, 11 Cow Lane Burnley.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 27th November 1915: COLLEAGUE’S SAD MESSAGE. BURNLEY SOLDIER KILLED LEAVING TRENCH.
Another Burnley Scotty who has given his life for his country is private 17123 William topping of the 9th Scottish rifles. Private topping who formerly worked at Cooper’s foundry, enlisted almost 12 months ago, and had been in France since July 29th. His wife who has three young children, 1 of whom the soldier never saw, received a letter from him about a month ago, and in this he mentioned having lost a colleague in the big advance. Private Topping did not say anything about his own work on that occasion, but subsequently Mrs Topping received a letter from a colleague to the effect that private Topping had been killed as he was leaving the trench. This sad message has been confirmed by a war office notice stating that Private Topping was killed on October 8th. Private Topping who was aged 26 years lived at 11 Cow Lane Burnley.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 8th November 1916: IN MEMORIAM.
TOPPING. In loving memory of Private William Topping 9th Battalion Scottish Rifles, who was killed in action 8th November 1915.
Dear is the spot where our brother is laid.
Dear is the memory it will never fade.
Flowers made with her friends cease to be.
Others forget him but never can we.
From his father brothers and sisters 9 Cow Lane.
Lived at 30 Firth Street.
William left his effects to his widow Mrs Ellen Carter.
William is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium: Panel 22. Son of Alfred Topping, of 11, Cow Lane, Burnley; husband of Ellen Carter (formerly Topping), of 30, Firth St., Burnley.
