Alfred Henry Toop

Alfred Henry was born in Poona, India, in 1878 and the birth was recorded on the Regimental Birth Indices: Kirkee, 'East Indies'; his father was serving in the Royal Engineers. Alfred was probably the son of Alfred Henry Joseph Toop b. 1854 (J/A/S Plymouth) who in 1871 was serving as a sapper (11307) with the 37th Company Royal Engineers (HQ Chatham). Alfred snr. later served in India and married Eliza Mary Moore (father named as Edward GILBERT) in Poona on 15 June 1876. Alfred snr. died in India; his widow returned to England and was living in London in 1896. Alfred attested in the Royal Artillery on 19 September 1896 on a Short Service Engagement (5 years regular service, 7 years Army Reserve). He was 18 years 6 months old and nominated his mother, Elizabeth, of Peadbody Buildings, Orchard Street, Westminster, as his next of kin. He joined at Dover on 21 September 1896 as a gunner and was still serving on 1 January 1902 when he was appointed to the RGA as acting bombardier. He married Catherine Hannah Tregaskis in 1908 (J/F/M Plymouth Devon). Catherine was born in 1866 (J/A/S Plymouth), the daughter of Francis and Ann Tregaskis. At the time of the 1871 and 1881 Census Catherine and her family were living in Plymouth. Alfred and Catherine were living at 18 John Street, Plymouth in 1911; Alfred (33) was a draper's packer and porter. He and Catherine (37-sic) had been married for three years and according to the census return completed by Alfred they did not have any children. However, the record of WW1 Pensions lists his dependents as: C Hannah Toop, and children Alfred Alec Toop and Winifred Maud Blenett (sic) Toop. There is a record of the registration of the birth of an Alfred Alec Toop in 1904 (J/F/M Plymouth) but a record of birth has not yet been traced for Winifred. Alfred (later k/a Alec) probably married Violet M Worley in 1925 (A/M/J Basford) and died in 1964 (A/M/J Nottingham). Catherine may have died in 1922 (J/F/M Plymouth) aged 55.