Herbert Hopcroft
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Herbert Hopcroft was the son of Thomas [William] Hopcroft and Emma Beardsley who married in the Radford registration district in 1878. When they married Emma appears to have called herself Emily. Their children included: Albert (b.1880), Lily (b.1882), William (b.1884), Herbert (b.1886), Tom [Thomas] (b.1888), Arthur (b.1890) and May Emma (b.1898). The family lived at; 1 Abbey Buildings, Ilkeston Road [C.1891]; 11 Middleton Street, Radford [C.1901]; 6 Cricketers Cottages, Bright Street, Radford [C.1911]. Thomas William Hopcroft who was a coal dealer, died at Nottingham, aged 81 in 1939. His wife, Emma, had predeceased him, dying at Nottingham in 1911, aged 52. He was the father of Winifred Hopcroft. In 1911 they lived at 1 Brougham Place Hyson Green Nottingham.
Private Herbert Hopcroft enlisted at Nottingham whilst residing at Radford and served with the 9th battalion Sherwood Foresters . In September 1916 the battalion held front line trenches on the Somme near Thiepval and had to endure constant enemy artillery barrages. Herbert was the only man to die on 10th September but it was a period of many losses. He is buried at Ovillers Military Cemetery, grave I.C.19. John Morse
His brother Driver Arthur Hopcroft enlisted at Nottingham; from his 1911 census entry he had previously been a regular soldier in the Royal Field Artillery; died of his wounds; his body was buried at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais, France. In memoriam published 12th May 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HOPCROFT. – In loving memory of our dear brother, Private H. Hopcroft, S.F., killed in action September 10th, 1916. Duty nobly done. – From father, brothers and wives, Maggie and children.” In memoriam published 10th September 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HOPCROFT. – In loving memory of Private H. Hopcroft, killed in action in France, September 10th, 1916. Days and nights still hold their sadness, tears of sorrow often flow, memory keeps our loved one near us, whom God claimed a year ago. Duty nobly done. – From Maggie, his son Herbert, father, brother, Tom, sister May, sister-in-law Eliza, and Florrie.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
