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Monocled Mutineer

Hero? Conman? Murderer? Spy? It seems the jury is still out. Whatever the case, Alan Bleasdale's 1986 TV drama, The Monocled Mutineer created something of a legend, and you may be surprised to learn that the legend was born right here. The Glassworks sits on the corner of Sheffield Road and Sanforth Street. And it was on Sanforth Street that Francis Percy Toplis was born. Did he play any part in the mutiny that Bleasdale's drama made so famous? No one knows for sure. Despite claims to the contrary, his military service records did not survive, so there is no formal documentary evidence that can confirm he was in France at the time of the mutiny. Just as there is no official evidence to say that he was not. It's an enduring mystery all the same.

If you happen to find yourself down at The Glassworks, be sure to order a pint of Monocled Mutineer, brewed to celebrate the launch of the pub and its curious stake in the Toplis legend.

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All Early Life Army Life Etaples Mutiny Manhunt Death

Birth

Born in Chesterfield

Francis Percy Toplis was born to Herbert & Rejoice Toplis on Sanforth Street Chesterfield on August 22nd 1896. His father, a miner by trade, was employed as an Assurance Collector in Newbold and Saltergate.

Nottingham Evening Post picture

The Monocled Mutineer

Legend has it that this picture of Toplis, masquerading as a war-hero, was taken in Mansfield in 1916 and then published by the Nottingham Evening Post at the height of the manhunt in 1920. But this now seems unlikely. We do know that Percy deserted from Salonika in June 1918 and retained the uniform. In November 1918 he was jailed for desertion and deception.

Percy Toplis Medal Roll

The Medal Card of Percy Toplis

Sadly, Toplis’s military service records have not survived. The only official record we have of his time in the army is this one-sided Medal Card. Toplis won the 1914-15 Star for service in Gallipoli.

Etaples Mutiny

Riots Erupt at Etaples Base Camp France September 1917

On September 9th 1917, thousands of servicemen rioted after a military policeman shot dead Corporal W. B. Wood of the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders. A media blackout ensued. Sylvia Pankhurst's Worker's Dreadnought ignored the ban and published a soldier's letter describing the events.

Toplis shoots his way out of the bothy

Toplis Shoots His Way Out of Highland Bothy

Wanted for murder, Toplis fled north to Scotland, arriving in May 1920. He took up residence in an unoccupied bothy in a remote mountain pass near Tomintoul. In early June, a gamekeeper had the local constable accompany him to confront Toplis. Toplis shot his way out, injuring the men, before escaping to Aberdeen.

Monocled Mutineer Ale

Brampton Brewery's Monocled Mutineer 4.7%

To mark the opening of The Glassworks, Brampton Brewery have produced a new beer. It's an easy drinking extra pale ale which finishes sweeter on the palate but is aromatically hopped with Simcoe and Cascade. Order a pint from the bar.

Mansfield Boy's Bad Beginnings

Mansfield Boy's Bad Beginnings

By the age of 12 Toplis had been charged with various confidence tricks including obtaining two suits of clothes by false pretences from a clothier in nearby Sutton. He then had the nerve to pawn them.

Blackwell

Move to Blackwell

By 1911 Percy's father and his family were back in Blackwell near Mansfield. Although employed at this time as a pony driver, the young Toplis would later train as a blacksmith.

Toplis Enlists

Summer 1914 — Toplis Enlists

In the Summer of 1914 Percy Toplis enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps as part Kitchener's all-volunteer army. It's believed he served with the 39th Field Ambulances and was billeted in Torquay. The Daily Mail later alleged that he served as Non-Commissioned Officer. Toplis later claims that he had been 'cashiered' (demoted).

Woodhall

Wanted by Special Branch & Military Intelligence

In October 1917 Edwin Woodhall, a former detective with the Political Division of Special Branch, was seconded to Military Police to round-up deserters around Etaples in the immediate aftermath of the mutiny. As he later described in his memoirs, Toplis was among those he sought.

Wanted For Murder

Wanted For Murder

After leaving prison in August 1919 Toplis re-enlisted with the Royal Army Service Corp at Bulford in Witlshire. He was subsequently suspected in the murder of taxi-driver Sidney Spicer. By mid-April 1920 over 20,000 police officers were involved in the Toplis manhunt. Toplis escaped to London and then to Wales, altering his appearence regularly and still posing as an officer.

Death in Penrith

Toplis Meets His Doom in Penrith

After a dramatic escape from Scotland Toplis was ambushed by Police in Plumpton near Penrith. The date was June 6th. An inquest was hastily arranged and Toplis was buried in secret at Beacon Edge Cemetery in Penrith. His Webley Revolver Mk VI revolver and his monocle are now on show in Penrith Museum.

Disguises

A Wizard At Disguises

Scotland Yard informed the press that Toplis was a wizard at disguises and had rarely had to deal with a man so capable of altering his appearance so dramtically. One of his favourite affectations was a gold-rimmed monocle, which he would wear as he would parade up and down the Strand.

Monocled Mutineer

Brampton Brewery's Monocled Mutineer 4.7%

To mark the opening of The Glassworks, Brampton Brewery have produced a new beer. It's an easy drinking extra pale ale which finishes sweeter on the palate but is aromatically hopped with Simcoe and Cascade.

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