Thomas Jerome Toppings signature

Thomas Jerome Toppings, a wheelman on the Great Lakes, was conscripted in London, Ontario, on this day in 1918. His draft paper notes that he was “apprehended” on June 3rd. He was born in Deseronto on December 29th, 1895, the son of John Toppings and Annie (née Hastings). By the time Thomas was conscripted, both of his parents had died (they were buried in Kingston) and he gave his uncle, James Toppings of Montreal, as his next of kin. He listed his own address as 124 Montreal Street, Kingston.

Toppings joined the 1st Depot Battalion of the Western Ontario Regiment with the regimental number 3137596. He was five feet five and three quarter inches tall, with a dark complexion, blue eyes and black hair. His service record shows that he was struck off the strength of the regiment on August 22nd, so that he could join the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve.

It is not clear where Thomas went after the war.