Edward Hopkinson
Member of Territorial Army prior to enlistment and held the rank of sergeant. At the time of the 1901 Census he was employed as an assistant school teacher, probably in Mansfield. At the time of the 1911 census he was a schoolmaster at the Higher Elementary School, Sutton in Ashfield, then head teacher at Newstead Church of England School from 13 May 1912 until he enlisted.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Edward was the son of Edward William and Sarah Hopkinson of Kegworth.
At the time of the 1891 Census the family was living at Cabbage Nook, Kegworth, Derbyshire. His father was a stonemason. The Census lists the following children: William Arthur (15, baker's apprentice), Charlotte Agnes (13, b. Kegworth 1878 bap. 18 August), Edward (10), Elizabeth (6) and John (3); these names are followed by an indistinct entry which might read 'Frederick (son)'.
By 1901 Edward was an assistant school teacher and a boarder on the household of Alice Howitt, a widow, at 1 Burns(?) Street, Mansfield.
He married Ada Jepson (b. 1881), the daughter of Arthur and Martha Jepson, in 1904 (reg. JAS Mansfield). Their daughter Ada Mildred was born the following year (1905 AMJ). Edward's wife died in January 1906 aged 24 and was buried in Sutton Cemetery.
In 1911 Edward was living at 36 Howard Street, Sutton in Ashfield, with his daughter, who was five years old, and his unmarried sister, Charlotte Agnes. He was a school teacher at Sutton in Ashfield Higher Elementary School.
He assumed the duties of head teacher at Newstead Church of England School on 13 May 1912 and occupied Newstead School House with his sister and daughter. He held the position of head teacher until he enlisted in August 1914.
It appears that Charlotte continued to look after her niece Ada as in 1921 they were living together in Kegworth. It is likely that Ada qualified as a nurse in March 1930 having trained at Bagthorpe Hospital, Nottingham. She married Cyril E Blake in 1932 and died in 1975 (reg. Surrey). Charlotte was recorded on the 1939 England & Wales Register living on Broughton Drive, Nottingham; also in the household was a science master who may have been a boarder. Charlotte died in March 1951.
His Army Service Record has not survived. He was in the Territorial Army and probably enlisted on 4 August 1914. He achieved the rank of Colour Sergeant Major (796) before being commissioned on 16 August 1915.
He was on the Western Front from March 1915 and was wounded on 30 March 1915 (Neuve Chapelle). An entry in the Newstead School Log describes a visit he made to the school in May 1915 which may have coincided with a period at home while he recovered from his injuries. He was also wounded on 17 April 1916 (Vimy Ridge) and an entry in the Newstead School Log shows that he visited the school in May 1916; again, this may have coincided with a period of convalescence after he was wounded the previous month.
He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917 when he was probably involved in the advance to the Hindenburg Line.
Edward was reported missing on 23 April 1917 at Gommecourt and believed initially to be a prisoner of war; there is a record of his name on the Red Cross enquiry lists (1 August 1917). A notice in the local paper suggests that his death might not have been confirmed as having occured on 23 April 1917 until December 1919.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
Awarded the Military Cross and qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Edward's two brothers-in-law, Herbert Arthur Jepson and Albert Clarence Leonard Jepson also served in the Great War. Herbert attested in December 1915, was mobilised in April 1917 and posted to the Army Service Corps MT Depot (T328273 Private). He was discharged, unfit for military service, on 22 October the same year and died on 9 November 1918 (Nottingham General Cemetery). His brother Albert Clarence Leonard served with the 3rd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (Second Lieutenant) and was killed in action on 12 October 1917. (See record on this Roll of Honour). One of the brothers' sisters, Gertrude Jepson, married a school master, William Henry Vardy, who also served in the war (203805 Lance Corporal, Sherwood Foresters, Notts & Derby Regiment) and was awarded the Military Medal. He survived the war and was discharged in January 1919.
Military Cross awarded for his actions on 13th March 1917 near Gommecourt, the official citation was published in the 'London Gazette' on 26th May 1917:“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a reconnoitering patrol. He inflicted many casualties on the enemy and successfully repulsed all attacks made against his position. He has on many previous occasions done fine work.”
Edward was born in Kegworth and this is the address given for his parents on the CWGC record; he is commemorated on the parish memorial at St Andrew's church, Kegworth.
Listed in Nottinghamshire County Council register of employees who served. Record completed by sister, Charlotte Agnes Hopkinson, and some of the details of his military record are taken from this. (Nottinghamshire Archives ref CC CL 2/12/1/1).
Extracts from Newstead County School Log 1909-1921 (Nottinghamshire Archive ref SL118 2/3):May 13th 1912 – I, Edward Hopkinson, late of the Higher Elementary School, Sutton in Ashfield, took over the duties of Head Master of this, ‘The Newstead Church of England School’, today.July 23rd 1914 – School ‘broke up’ today for summer holiday of one month. Midsummer Vacation – four weeks. Last entry by Edward HopkinsonAugust 24th 1914 – I, Edmund Albon, 07/1793 Reading 13-14, took temporary charge of the school owing to the enforced absence of the head teacher [Edward Hopkinson], who is away on military service October 20th 1914 – Mr Hopkinson visited the school and straightened certain money matters connected with the school.Jan 13th 1915 – Mr Hopkinson visited the school todayMay 18th 1915 – Mr Hopkinson called today and talked with the children and teachersMay 24th 1916 – Empire Day. Mr Hopkinson came in this morning and spoke to Class I during scripture lesson. He described the various contrivances adopted for defeating enemy gas attacks.
Nottingham Evening Post, 5 May 1917: ‘Missing. Lieut. E Hopkinson. Second-Lieut. E Hopkinson was granted his commission in the Sherwood Foresters in August 1915’ having previously held the rank of Sergt-Major. Prior to that he had been wounded.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 11 May 191:’Missing. Second-Lieut. E Hopkinson. Second-Lieut Edward Hopkinson of the Sherwood Foresters, who in March was awarded the Military Cross for gallant conduct near Essarts, is now reported missing. Lieut Hopkinson, who is a native of Kegworth, was formerly headmaster at Newstead School, prior to which he held positions at schhols in Kirkby, Sutton and Mansfield. When at Sutton he joined the local section of the Sherwood, and attained the rank of sergeant. He has been twice wounded, and during the whole of his service he has done exceptionally good work.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Original research RF (additional research RF July 2026)
Edward Hopkinson
War memorial, Kegworth, Derbyshire. Photograph Rachel Farrand (August 2015).
Edward Hopkinson
War memorial, Kegworth, Derbyshire. Photograph Rachel Farrand (August 2015).
Edward Hopkinson
Arras Memorial. Photograph Rachel Farrand.
Photo of Edward Hopkinson
Commemorated on the Arras Memorial (www.cwgc.org)