Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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Toplis, Gilbert Charles

Born 1889 Hobart Tasmania the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Toplis (nee Bryant) a farm hand he embarked Hobart 20^th October 1914 on board “HMAT Geelong” with the 12^th Infantry Battalion.

He was serving with the 52^nd Battalion when he was killed in action 24^th April 1918 in France and is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Villers-Bretonneux Area, France.

Chaplain the Rev. D. B. Blackwood has written to the mother of the late Private G. C. Toplis, as follows:—

"I wish to convey to you the sincere sympathy of all officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the 13th Australian Infantry Brigade, and my own personal sympathy with you in the sad loss of your fine son. He took part in one of the greatest actions of the war, in the retaking of Villers Bretonneux on April 24-25, 1918. All did splendidly, going forward in the face of great machine gun fire, and secured a real victory. I trust that it will be some consolation to you to feel that he took part in and helped to secure such an important success. He was sniped in the head after daylight on the 25th, and died instantly. He was a fine fellow always so ready to help. He truly gave his life and you must be proud of him. He was doing some scout work at the time. All his mates thought a great deal of him. We were able to give all a decent burial on the battlefield and a memorial is being erected near the place. "

The Mercury 21^st August 1918

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.