Edward Percival Augustus Topley was born on 6th November 1899 in London.
He learnt to fly in a Caudron biplane at the Cambridge School of Flying before enlisting into the RAF on 3rd March 1918. He was commissioned on 1st April 1918, the same day the RAF was formed. He was posted to Uxbridge for flying training before being posted to the 29th Training Depot Station, Beaulieu to complete his training.