Jul 30, 1889

Born in Fitzroy Harbour, Ontario to Nassau and Catherine (nee Cooke) Topping

Feb 6, 1915

Attested into the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) Canadian Army Medical Corps CEF in Montreal, Quebec

Ø  Number 2138

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Catherine Topping, mother, Parham, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Student

Ø  Previous military experience given as 2 years in the Cadet Corps

Ø  Religion given as Wesleyan

On attesting, he gave his birth year as 1890, not his actual year of 1889

Apr 17, 1915

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Apr 29, 1915

Disembarked in Avonmouth, England and proceeded to the Sandling Camp

May 24, 1915

The 6^th Canadian Field Ambulance moved to the Otterpool Camp

Sep 15, 1915

Embarked the SS Viper in Southampton

Sep 16, 1915

Disembarked in Havre, France and proceeded to Locre, Belgium and the 6^th CFA took over the 2^nd Division Rest Station

Aug 27, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal

Sep 10, 1916

Attended the 2^nd Army Cadet School

Dec 17, 1916

Granted a commission with the rank of Lieutenant and transferred to the 21^st Battalion per London Gazette #29925, February 1, 1917

Dec 29, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Bully Grenay, France and was posted to “C” Company

Apr 9, 1917

During the capture of Vimy Ridge, France, Lieutenant Topping received a wound that fractured his right leg and was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance, his old unit) for first aid before being transported to the No. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Apr 10, 1917

Transferred to the No. 7 Stationary Hospital in Boulogne, France and placed on the seriously ill list

Apr 20, 1917

Removed from the seriously ill list

May 24, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Jan Breydel

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire Hospital (IODE) Red Cross, Hyde Park Place, London

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Aug 17, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Officers Convalescent Hospital in Broadstairs, Kent

He is noted as using 2 crutches and supports his foot by a sling from his neck

Aug 28, 1917

Transferred to the 3^rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth Common, London

Sep 13, 1917

Discharged from hospital

Sep 14, 1917

Embarked the Hospital Ship Araguaya in Liverpool

Sep 25, 1917

Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 3

Placed in the care of the MHCC (Military Hospitals Commission Command) and attached to “C” Unit for treatment

Feb 23, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Lieutenant

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposes residence on discharge Box 1051 Smiths Falls, Ontario

Following his discharge, he was appointed the Keeper of the County Jail in Kingston located behind the County Court

The 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him c/o College of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington, USA

He then went on to have distinguished career as a University Professor in Canada and the USA as well as authoring a number of books on several different subjects

Aug 25, 1925

Married to Marjorie May Ellis in Pembroke, Ontario

During WWII, he served as the Commanding Officer of the University of British Columbia COTC (Canadian Officer Training Corps) with the rank of Major

Aug 20, 1946

Entered the USA at Blaine, Washington on proceeding to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis as a Professor for 1 year

Feb 21, 1988

Coral Wesley Topping died and was buried in the Ocean View Burial Park, Burnaby, British Columbia