Alfred Richard TOPP

Regimental number7/283
Date of birth10 May 1891
Place of birthSefton, Canterbury
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
Address57 Grove Road, Blenheim
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 6.5"
Weight148 lbs
Next of kinFather, Henry R Topp, Woodgrove, Harwarden, North Canterbury
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date16 August 1914
Place of enlistmentNelson
Rank on embarkationTrooper
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Canterbury Mounted Rifles
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Lyttelton on 16 October 1914
The Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment, Main Body, embarked on board two ships, HMNZT 4 'Tahiti' and HMNZT 11 'Athenic'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Final rankTrooper
Final unit10th (Nelson) Squadron, Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment
FateCommenced return to New Zealand
Discharge date17 May 1916
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli

Enlisted with rank of trooper and posted to 10th (Nelson) Squadron, Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment, Nelson, 16 August 1914. Proceeded from Lyttelton on board HMNZT 'Athenic' for Wellington, 23 September, 1914. Disembarked in Wellington and marched in to Trentham Camp, Upper Hutt, 24 September 1914. Proceeded overseas from Wellington on board HMNZT 'Athenic', 16 October 1914.

Disembarked Alexandria, Egypt, and entrained for Zeitoun Camp near Cairo, 3 December 1914.

Marched out of Zeitoun Camp and entrained for Alexandria, 7 May 1915

Proceeded overseas from Alexandria to the Dardanelles on board HMT 'Grantully Castle', 9 May 1915. Disembarked Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 12 May 1915.

Admitted to New Zealand Field Ambulance, Anzac, Gallipoli, 13 May 1915 (influenza); discharged and rejoined unit, 17 May 1915.

Admitted to New Zealand General Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, ex-Gallipoli, 10 August 1915 (enteric dysentery); transferred to Special Camp, Zeitoun, 20 August 1915. Commenced return to New Zealand from Alexandria as invalid on board HMNZT 'Tofua', 23 September 1915.

Disembarked in Dunedin, New Zealand, 26 October 1915.

Undergoing treatment at Wairau Hospital, Blenheim, 9 February 1916. Reported for duty at Featherston Camp, Wairarapa, 16 April 1916.

Discharged in consequence of being medically unfit for active service, although partially fit for employment in civil life, 17 May 1916.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsIssue authorised: Gallipoli Medallion and Lapel Badge (No A1297), 7 July 1967
Date of death6 June 1970
Age at death79
Place of burialBlenheim, Marlborough
SourcesNominal Roll Vol. 1: Canterbury Mounted Rifles/Main Body
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805