HOPKINS Cecil John
HOPKINS Cecil John
HOPKINS Cecil John
Private 29044, 14th Welsh Reg., The Swansea Battalion.
Died of pneumonia, aged 20 on 21st February 1915, while training in Ryl
Buried at DANYGRAIG CEMETERY, Swansea
Father John, a coachman, from Raglan Mon. Mother Annie, from Shaftsbury, Dorset. By 1901 the family had moved to Llanelly and in 1911 were in Swansea.
He married Mary E CROWLEY in Sep qtr 1912 and Cecil was working for Swansea Harbour Trust as a railway stoker.
Born at Somerset Place , Oystermouth Jun qtr 1893, and baptised in 1894, enlisted Swansea.
He enlisted in the Swansea Pals, not long after their formation. He was one of the first men to die in the batallion.
SW Daily Post, 27 Feb 1915, P8:continued:-
Cambrian Daily Leader, 22 Feb 1915, P5
ONE OF 'SWANSEA'S OWN'Continued:
The following were the chief mourners: Mrs. Mary 'E. hlopikins, Mr. and Mrs. John I Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs. Crowley, Mr. and Mrs. Ivor Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, E. Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Ivor Davies, Tom and Cedric Hopkins, Messrs. R. Davies, C. Daivies, Hamlyn, S Denniis, Mrs. B. Buckley, Mrs. B. Crowley, Mrs. Julia Collins, Mrs. J. Reed, Mrs. J. Collins, Mrs. May Forster, Mrs. Sinclair, Mrs. Bradley, Miss Williams, Miss Clifford, Miss Howells, Mr. Hancock and Mr. Powell.
Rev. Father Conrath, St. lltyd's. officiated at the graveside, and the funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. R. J. Davies, Swansea.
The procession proved to be an impressive sight, and long before the military put in an appearance hundreds of people lined the route, which was Brunswick Street, St. Helen's-road, Oxford-street, Wind-street and St. Thomas.
It was noticed that a relief section of the Swansea Battalion were present, under Lieut. Lewis, and six of the party acted as pall bearers, Sergt. Carey being in charge.
Leading the procession was a
FIRING PARTY OF THE 6th WELSH RESERVES, under Capt. Snares then followed the Police Band, under Bandmaster Shackleford and Inspector Hill; a section of the National Reserves followed, and the gun carriage covered with the Union Jack and a. large number of beautiful floral tributes. Next came a number of the United Service Brigade and mourning coaches.
The customary solemn rites—the sounding of the "Last Post" and the three volleys fired over the grave—were impressively observed, a huge crowd of people standing bareheaded.SW Daily Post, 27 Feb 1915,
The following were the chief mourners: Mrs. Mary 'E. hlopikins, Mr. and Mrs. John I Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs. Crowley, Mr. and Mrs. Ivor Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, E. Hopkins, Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Ivor Davies, Tom and Cedric Hopkins, Messrs. R. Davies, C. Daivies, Hamlyn, S Denniis, Mrs. B. Buckley, Mrs. B. Crowley, Mrs. Julia Collins, Mrs. J. Reed, Mrs. J. Collins, Mrs. May Forster, Mrs. Sinclair, Mrs. Bradley, Miss Williams, Miss Clifford, Miss Howells, Mr. Hancock and Mr. Powell.
Rev. Father Conrath, St. lltyd's. officiated at the graveside, and the funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. R. J. Davies, Swansea.
The procession proved to be an impressive sight, and long before the military put in an appearance hundreds of people lined the route, which was Brunswick Street, St. Helen's-road, Oxford-street, Wind-street and St. Thomas.
It was noticed that a relief section of the Swansea Battalion were present, under Lieut. Lewis, and six of the party acted as pall bearers, Sergt. Carey being in charge.
Leading the procession was a
FIRING PARTY OF THE 6th WELSH RESERVES, under Capt. Snares then followed the Police Band, under Bandmaster Shackleford and Inspector Hill; a section of the National Reserves followed, and the gun carriage covered with the Union Jack and a. large number of beautiful floral tributes. Next came a number of the United Service Brigade and mourning coaches.
The customary solemn rites—the sounding of the "Last Post" and the three volleys fired over the grave—were impressively observed, a huge crowd of people standing bareheaded.SW Daily Post, 27 Feb 1915,
Researcher: Alun Bevan
A typical Firing Party