bobdina
08-04-2010, 09:55 AM
Topham; V.C.
Corporal Frederick George
"Operation Varsity", on 24 March 1945, in the Second World War, was an airborne assault on a strongly defended area east of the Rhine River. Corporal Topham, a medical orderly, parachuted in the operation with his unit the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion.
Whilst treating casualties sustained in the drop, a cry for help came from a wounded man in the open. Two medical orderlies from a field ambulance went out to this man in succession, but both were killed as they knelt beside the casualty.
Without hesitation, Corporal Topham went forward through intense fire to replace the orderlies who had been killed before his eyes. As he worked on the wounded man he was himself shot through the nose. In spite of severe bleeding and intense pain, he never faltered in administering first aid and then carrying the wounded man back through continuous fire to the shelter of a wood.
As a result of his wounds his immediate evacuation was ordered, but he interceded so earnestly on his own behalf that he was eventually allowed to return to duty. On his way back to his company he came across a carrier, which had received a direct hit. Enemy mortar bombs were still dropping around, the carrier itself was still burning fiercely and its own mortar ammunition was exploding. An officer on the spot had warned all not to approach the carrier.
Corporal Topham, however, in spite of the blasting ammunition and enemy fire, immediately went to the carrier and rescued its three occupants. He brought these men back across the open, and although one died almost immediately afterward, he arranged for the evacuation of the other two, who undoubtedly owe their lives to him. Cpl. Frederick George Topham was awarded the Victoria Cross, for the series of acts of outstanding bravery and his magnificent and selfless courage which inspired all those who witnessed it.
Born: 10 August 1917 Died 31 May 1974
One kilometre from this starting point of the Siffleur Falls hiking trail, a suspension bridge crosses the North Saskatchewan River. On the 6th June 2007, the bridge was dedicated to the memory of Corporal Frederick George Topham, V.C.
Corporal Frederick George
"Operation Varsity", on 24 March 1945, in the Second World War, was an airborne assault on a strongly defended area east of the Rhine River. Corporal Topham, a medical orderly, parachuted in the operation with his unit the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion.
Whilst treating casualties sustained in the drop, a cry for help came from a wounded man in the open. Two medical orderlies from a field ambulance went out to this man in succession, but both were killed as they knelt beside the casualty.
Without hesitation, Corporal Topham went forward through intense fire to replace the orderlies who had been killed before his eyes. As he worked on the wounded man he was himself shot through the nose. In spite of severe bleeding and intense pain, he never faltered in administering first aid and then carrying the wounded man back through continuous fire to the shelter of a wood.
As a result of his wounds his immediate evacuation was ordered, but he interceded so earnestly on his own behalf that he was eventually allowed to return to duty. On his way back to his company he came across a carrier, which had received a direct hit. Enemy mortar bombs were still dropping around, the carrier itself was still burning fiercely and its own mortar ammunition was exploding. An officer on the spot had warned all not to approach the carrier.
Corporal Topham, however, in spite of the blasting ammunition and enemy fire, immediately went to the carrier and rescued its three occupants. He brought these men back across the open, and although one died almost immediately afterward, he arranged for the evacuation of the other two, who undoubtedly owe their lives to him. Cpl. Frederick George Topham was awarded the Victoria Cross, for the series of acts of outstanding bravery and his magnificent and selfless courage which inspired all those who witnessed it.
Born: 10 August 1917 Died 31 May 1974
One kilometre from this starting point of the Siffleur Falls hiking trail, a suspension bridge crosses the North Saskatchewan River. On the 6th June 2007, the bridge was dedicated to the memory of Corporal Frederick George Topham, V.C.