Person

Topp, Arthur Albert (1886 - 1952)

Born
3 January 1886
South Yarra, Victoria, Australia
Died
24 May 1952
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Occupation
Metallurgist

Summary

Arthur Topp was Manager of the Explosives Factory at Maribyrnong from 1928-1940, Assistant Director of Explosives Supply, Ministry of Munitions 1940-1944 and General Manager, Commonwealth Government Explosives Factories. Topp was a pioneer of munitions manufacture and supply.

Details

Prior to undertaking a Diploma in Metallurgy (Melbourne Technical College), Arthur Albert Topp worked at Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company's superphosphate and chemical plants in Yarraville (1906-07). From 1908 to 1910 Topp worked for the Victorian Mines Department Laboratory. The following year he joined the Ministry of Munitions working at the Commonwealth Government Cordite Factory in Maribyrnong. In 1916 the Australian Arsenal was established in Canberra to rationalise the production of Government munitions and Arthur Topp was appointed its General Manager. He was also responsible for overseeing many of the Arsenal's technical studies and much of this work was carried out in England as part of Topp's World War I service.

In 1928 Arthur Top was appointed Manager of the Explosives Supply section of the Cordite Factory. After 12 years in the role he was promoted to Assistant Director, then General Manager / Director of the Commonwealth Government Explosives Factories. During World War II, Topp helped design and oversee construction of numerous new explosive factories throughout Australia. In the later years of his working life, Arthur Topp's focus was returned to metallurgy when he was appointed Consultant to the Australian Aluminium Production Commission. The Royal Institute of Chemistry recognized his achievements by electing him Fellow in 1944.

Chronology

1906 - 1907
Career position - Assistant at the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company in Yarraville
1908
Education - Diploma in Metallurgy completed at the Melbourne Technical College
1908 - 1910
Career position - Metallurgist for the Victorian Mines Department Laboratory
1911 - 1914
Career position - Chemist at the Commonwealth Government Cordite Factory
1915
Career position - Assistant Manager at the Commonwealth Government Cordite Factory
c. 1917 - 1918
Military service - War service in England
1918
Career position - Associate of the Royal Institute of Chemistry
1926 - 1927
Career position - Works Manager at Explosives Factory in Maribyrnong
1928 - 1940
Career position - Manager of the Explosives Factory in Maribyrnong
1940 - 1944
Career position - Assistant Director of Explosives Supply at the Ministry of Munitions
1944
Career position - Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry (FRIC)
1944 - c. 1950
Career position - General Manager of the Commonwealth Government Explosives Factories

Published resources

Resources

Rosanne Walker & Annette Alafaci

EOAS ID: biogs/P002678b.htm

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