2nd Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. Died, killed in action, aged about 27, on 23 April 1917 at the Western Front.
Commissioned as Temporary Second Lieutenant on 3 June 1915, he arrived in France 6 September 1916, being posted to the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers.
The battalion was part of 87th Brigade, 29th Division. They arrived in France in March 1916 after service at Gallipoli and Egypt and fought on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. It was then reformed after suffering significant losses and after periods in various parts of the Line fought most gallantly at Monchy Le Preux in April and May 1917 and particularly during the Second Battle of the Scarpe (23-24 April 1917), part of the Battle of Arras.
A major British offensive had been launched near Arras on 9 April 1917. Heavy fighting would continue throughout the month. During the evening of the 22 April, the battalion moved into front line trenches just east of the village of Monchy-le-Preux. The Battalion's War Diary records what happened:
"At 4.45 on the morning of the 23rd the Battalion went over the top and successfully captured the first line German trench. A and B Companies constructed strong points about 300 yards beyond the captured German positions. The covering barrage for the attack fell very short and caused a number of casualties to our own men. After the attack and during the consolidation, hostile sniping was very active".
His Lieutenant-Colonel wrote to the family telling them that he had been hit leading his platoon in the attack. No trace of him could be found afterwards.
Born in 1889 he was the son of David and Mary Hopkins of 13 Oakfield Street, Pontardulais, with his birth registered in the Swansea District. In 1911 he lived with his sister Alice (31) and brother Thomas (39) at 13 Oakfield Street, Pontardulais, Glamorganshire. He was described as a Science Student. He was educated at Gowerton County School and gained his BSc at Cardiff University. Afterwards he was a Mathematical Master at Holyhead County School. The book 'Holyhead and the Great War' records him having lived at Rhosygaer Uchaf, Holyhead. His sister, Miss Mary Elizabeth Hopkins was a VAD nurse serving at the front at the time of her brother's death.
His will was proved at London in June 1919 to include £349.16s.8d with probate granted to Thomas Hopkins, Builder, of 13 Oakfield Street, Pontardulais.
Awarded the Victory and British War Medal (sent to Thomas Hopkins at 13 Oakfield Street, Pontardulais).
Commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Bay 6. He has no known grave. He is also commemorated on the Pontadulais War Memorial and also at Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi/Holyhead Secondary School.