Runnymede in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Corporal Frederick George Topham, V.C.

1917 - 1974

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 7, 2026

1. Corporal Frederick George Topham, V.C. Marker

Inscription. Born in Toronto, Topham was educated here before working in the mines at Kirkland Lake. He enlisted on August 3, 1942, and served at home and abroad as a medical orderly. On March 24,1945, while serving with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, he defied heavy enemy fire to treat casualties sustained in a parachute drop east of the Rhine, near Wesel. Rejecting treatment for his own severe face wound, he continued to rescue the injured for six hours. While returning to his company, he saved three occupants of a burning carrier which was in danger of exploding. For these exceptional deeds, Topham was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for valour in the British Commonwealth.

Erected 1980 by Ontario Heritage Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust, and the Victoria Cross and George Cross Recipients series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 24, 1945.

Location. 43° 39.831′ N, 79° 29.416′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Runnymede. It is at the intersection of

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Jane Street and Page Street, on the right when traveling north on Jane Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 572 Jane Street, Toronto ON M6S 4A5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Humbercrest Public School (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Sir William Pearce Howland (approx. 1.1 kilometers away); The Maltese Community of Toronto (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); Kabechenong / The Humber River / La rivière Humber (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); The Lost Village of Milton Mills (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); “The Old Mill” (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Bloor West Village BIA (approx. 1.8 kilometers away);

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 7, 2026

2. Corporal Frederick George Topham, V.C. Marker

South Humber Park Pavilion (approx. 3.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Corporal F. G. Topham, V.C., in 1945 image. Click for full size.

3. Corporal F. G. Topham, V.C., in 1945

Source: Toronto Public Library (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 8, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.