Edward Arthur Topham
In 1939, he was a hosiery worker in the rubber tade.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Known as Teddy, he was the son of Thomas Edwin and Elsie Topham of The Plough Inn, Mansfield. Thomas's father had been running the Eight Bells on Church Street, Mansfield in 1921 and he was employing Thomas as a taxi driver. In 1939, they lived at 47, Garnon Street, Mansfield.
Avro Lancaster I, serial No LM301 markings BQ-V-Bar flew from Grimsby on a sortie over Berlin. Attacked by a night-fighter and exploded mid-air and crashed at Wasbuttel, Lower Saxony. There were six fatalities: Topham (Air Gunner) + Albert Thomas Stanley Collier (Pilot), Frank Turner (Flight Engineer), Peter Alan Lee (Navigator), Herbert Sidney Bennett (Air Bomber) and William Dowson (Air Gunner). John Andrew Cromie (Wireless Operator) suvived to become a POW.
Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser:14/12/1944: Roll of Honour:
'Topham, Teddy, memories of nephew Teddy, reported missing on operations December 12th-13th 1943, Uncle Cyril, Auntie mabel. Grand Stand Hotel, Derby.'
Cyril was Thomas Edwin's brother, and had also gone into the pub trade.
This photo was taken in September 1943 when Edward Topham and crew mates were stationed with 460 Squadron (RAAF) at Binbrook, Lincolnshire. Here they operated Mk II Lancasters. In November 1943, they were transferred to RAF Grimsby and from there flew Lancaster Mk Is.
Photo: Courtesy of Leighton Topham