Edward Hopkinson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He 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), 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. It seems that he married Frances M Wheatcroft in 1905 (marriage registered Chesterfield, April/May/June) and that they had a daughter, Ada Mildred, born 1905 (registered April/May/June). BY 1911 Edward was a widower and living at 36 Howard Street, Sutton in Ashfield, with his sister, Charlotte Agnes, and daughter who was five years old. 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.
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 MC in 1917 when he was probably involved in the advance to the Hindenburg Line. He was reported missing on 23 April 1917 at Gommecourt and was believed initially to be a POW; 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 until December 1919. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Awarded 1915 Star, Victory Medal, British War Medal.
Military Cross awarded for his actions on 13th March 1917 near Gommecourt, his official citation was published in the 'London Gazette' on 26th May 1917:“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a reconnoitring 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.”He 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 serviceOctober 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 Post notice, 9 December 1919: 'Hopkinson. Lieutenant Edward Hopkinson MC, reported missing, believed prisoner of war April 23rd 1917, now presumed dead.'
