Harrogate Herald - 17th October 1917

Roll of Honour

Private J W Topham, 11 Providence Terrace, Harrogate, died on September 28th of malarial fever at Dar-E-Salaam, East Africa. Before enlisting on the 10th April, 1917, he worked at Mr Boocock's motor garage. Private Topham leaves a wife and nine children. He is the son of Mrs Topham, 2 Church Terrace, and his father was caretaker at Bilton Church.

W H Breare letter

Private J W Topham, MT, of the East African Forces, I am sorry to say to hear, died of malarial fever at Dar-es-Salaam on September 28th. He lived at 11 Providence Terrace, and leaves a widow and nine children. He enlisted April, 1917, before which he worked at Mr Boocock's motor garage. His mother lives at 2 Church Terrace. The father, who died a while ago, was caretaker of Bilton Church.

Harrogate Herald - 30th January 1918

Letters

Writing from South Africa, Sapper C Newton says : 

Thanks very much for the two Harrogate papers which I received on the 7th of the month - one dated October 24th and the other the 31st. they are the first Harrogate papers I've seen since April, and I was indeed pleased to have them. In the October 24th one I see there is a photo of J W Topham, out of Providence Terrace. I had previously heard of his death at Dar-es-Salaam. I met him at Durham in June. I also met R Dent and one of the Barker's, of Pannal (the plasterers), and one of the Schoon's (the plumbers) [ Suspect this name should be Scholes, who were Harrogate plumbers ] at the same place. I haven't met any Harrogate chaps since I came down here. I met a Knaresborough man, but forget his name for the moment, but he has now left for England. I'm pleased to tell you that I'm enjoying good health, and again thank you for the papers, which I shall save for any Harrogate man who I may come across.

Harrogate Herald - 29th September 1920

In ever-loving memory of a devoted husband and father, Private Jack Topham, who died in East Africa, September 28th, 1917 – From loving wife, Liz and children.