John Herbert Hopewell
1939: employed as a brass fettler
- Family History
- Extra information
- Photographs
Researcher's note: For additional information about the family of John's wife, Rebecca Hopewell, see her record on this Roll of Honour. There is also a separate record for their son, Terence John Hopwell.
John Herbert was the son of Herbert Hopewell and his wife Kate (née Haskard).
His parents John (b. 1889) and Kate (b. 1888) were married in 1911 (reg. JFM) and had eight children, one of wom died in infancy: Lilian b. 1913, John Herbert b. 1914, Levi b. 1916, Thomas b. 1918 d. 1919 reg. JFM, Kathleen birth reg. 1921 JFM, Walter birth reg. 1924 JFM, Mary b. 1926 and James b. 1930.
Herbert, a railway goods porter (Midland Railway, Goods Dept Carrington Street), his wife and their four surviving children, Lilian, John, Levi and Kathleen (4m), were living in Nottingham in 1921 (address illegible on transcript). Their second son, Thomas, had died two years previously.
The family was living at 14 Sneinton Hollows by 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled: Herbert, a railway checker, his wife, Herbert's father, Levi, a retired coal dealer, and six of their seven children: Lilian a factory hand machinist, Levi (recorded on the Register as 'blind in one eye) was a mat maker, Kathleen a tobacco hand stripper, Walter who was in work and Mary and James who were school age.
The eldest son, John Herbert, had married Rebecca Chambers earlier in 1939 (reg. AMJ) and their son Terence John was born later that year (reg. OND). The family was recorded at 13 Curtis Street, Nottingham in 1939; John was employed as a brass fettler.
All three died at 33 Hutton Street, Sneinton, on 15 January 1941 in a bombing raid on the city. They were buried together in Nottingham Southern Cemetery.
John Herbert was buried with his wife and son at Nottingham Southern Cemetery (Wilford Hill), grave ref. L16.
John's younger brother, Walter (b. 1924), died in a road accident on 20 January 1941:
Nottingham Evening Post, 23 January 1941: ‘Lorry Overturned. Four Of Nottm. Family Killed In Few Days. The Nottingham coroner to-day opened the inquiry into the death of Walter Hopewell, 16 year-old son of Herbert Hopewell, of 19, Sneinton Hollows, who was killed when the lorry in which he was riding as driver’s mate overturned in Thorneywood-lane on Monday. Hopewell is the fourth member of the family to be killed in the past few days. The driver of the lorry, Donald Skelton, of 10, Wheatfields-road, Porchester, is still in hospital. The father, a railway goods checker, gave evidence that he identified his son’s body at Leenside mortuary on Monday afternoon, and the coroner then adjourned the inquiry to a date to be fixed.’ (www.british newspaperarchive.co.uk) Also Nottingham Journal 21 January 1941: The accident occurred on 20 January 1941 and the lorry ‘fell 18 feet down a bank into the grounds attached to the Nottingham City Mental Hospital [Mapperley Hospital]'. Nottingham Journal, 27 February 1941 (extract): ‘The City Coroner (Mr WS Rothera) recorded a verdict of ‘Accidental death’.’ The Inquest was told that the ‘empty two-ton lorry, passing over a snow-covered road at 11.55am on 20 January, skidded, went on the pavement, through some railings, and down a bank ...’ (www.british newspaperarchive.co.uk)
John's mother-in-law, Rebecca Chambers, died on 17 October 1941 aged 49.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', Saturday January 15th 1942:
'HOPEWELL (Chambers) - Loving memories of daughter Rebecca, her husband John, and grandson Terence. With tender love and deep regret, we who loved you ne'er forget. - Father, brothers and sisters.'
'HOPEWELL (Chambers) - Sweet memories of Rebecca, John and Terence. Their memory is our greatest treasure - May and Harry.' May Hopewell married Harry Langdale REME, in 1940.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 15 January 1944. ‘Hopewell. Memories. Rebecca, John, Terence, January 15th 1941. We miss you, those who love you. Dad, sisters, brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Additional research RF (Aug. 2025)
All that remained of 27-37 Hutton Street the day after January 15th 1941's air raid.
Photo: Nottingham Evening Post published 12/10/1998.
A row of modern housing replaced homes destroyed by the bombing of Hutton Street.
Photo: David Nunn