User talk:82.69.117.118

A fresh scan of the famous Toplis Dressed an an Officer image was uploaded by user Skjoldbro in May 2018. Who actually owns the original image? We have been in touch with the Nottingham Evening Post as we are seeking permission to use it as part of a public display. They don't seem to have it? A book by Jim Cox claims the permisson was sought from the Cumbria Archive Centre (Cumbria Constabulary Collection) whilst the 1978 book by John Fairley and Bill Allison claims the photograph was in the possession of the Imperial War Museum. The photo uploaded by Skjoldbro appears to have been scanned from the original source? Can Skjoldbro please clarify what source was used for the scanned image?

Also there is some debate about whether or not the same Percy Toplis was charged with the assault of the girl. The assault, on Nellie North, took place in Sutton-on-Sea near Mablethorpe not Mansfield (Boston Guardian 09 March 1912 page 5) and a boy by the name of James Toplis was charged. A family by the name of Toplis (unrelated) lived within a mile of where the attack took place. It may be the Police and Court records confused the two boys of that name. The famous Percy Toplis was charged with fraud at the age of eleven in Sutton near Mansfield. It is possible that the record 297, HO140, A Calendar Of Prisoners Tried At The General Quarter Sessions Of The Peace For The Year 1912 which features Percy's name in relation to the Nelly North case was entered erroneously. That both incidents took place at 'Sutton' might explain the error, although these are two very different regions: one (Sutton) is located in North East Derbyshire and the other (Sutton on Sea) on the Lincolnshire coast.

see: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DxNNrcCWoAAO7dr.jpg:large