Corporal Frederick George Topham V.C. 1917-1974
Fred Topham was an early resident of East York, now part of the City of Toronto. On March 24, 1945, while serving as a medical orderly with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, he defied heavy enemy fire to treat casualties sustained in a mass parachute assault east of Rhine River near Wesel Germany. Although painfully wounded himself, 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.
This park was named in honour of Fred Topham shortly after Canadian troops returned home following WWII.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.