James Handley Hopewell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
James was the second son of Edwin Handley Hopewell and his wife Charlotte Elizabeth Ada nee Giles.Edwin Handley was born in Mansfield in 1858 (O/N/D Mansfield) and Charlotte Elizabeth in Lincoln (birth registered 1864 J/F/M Lincoln). They were married on 20 October 1888 at St Mary le Wigford, Lincoln. and had three sons who were all born in Mansfield: Philip Handley b. 1889 (J/A/S Mansfield), James Handley b. 6 January 1892 (J/F/M Mansfield) and Geoffrey Handley b. 2 April 1896 (A/M/J Mansfield).In 1901 Edwin (44), a wine and spirit merchant (employer), and Charlotte were living at 82 Nottingham Road, Mansfield. Only their youngest son Geoffrey (4) was at home as Philip and James were boarders at Clarendon College,Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. Edwin employed a governess, cook and housemaid.By 1911 Edwin (53) had retired and moved to 'Jardine', 53 Blackwater Road, Eastbourne. In the home on the nght of the census were his wife Charlotte (47) and their three sons, Philip (21) a medical student, James (19) an architect student and Geoffrey (14) who was still at school. Edwin employed two general servants.Edwin died on 3 July 1935; he and Charlotte were then living at Nutcombe Heights, Hindhead, Surrey. Charlotte died on 18 May 1948 at 1205 London Road, Croydon, Surrey; her home address on the probate record was given as 47 Carlton Hill, St. John's Wood, London.Of James' siblings:Philip was recorded on the UK Medical and Dental Students Registers in May 1910. He died in 1962 (J/A/S Hastings Sussex)Geoffrey married Mary M Abbott (b. 26 July 1897) in 1930 (J/A/S Kensington London) and in 1939 at the time of the England and Wales Register he and Mary were living at Newlands, Chorleywood, Hertfordshire. Geoffrey was a chartered engineer although when he was awarded Probate for his mother's Will in 1948 he was described as a civil servant. Geoffrey died on 30 November 1983; his address on the probate record was given as 2 The Avenue, Lewes, East Sussex. Mary's death was recorded in 1987 (Jan Uckfield East Sussex).
Enlisted 29 July 1915. He was gazetted Temporary Lieutenant in the Leicestershire Regiment in 1916 (see 'extra information).He was reported missing in action near Bazentin Wood, Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial
Family memorial, St Mark's Church, Mansfield. A two light window depicting St Martin, the patron saint of soldiers, and St Barbara, the patron saint of architects, with the inscription: 'To the glory of God, in memory of my brave and beloved son James Handley Hopewell, killed in action in France, 14 July 1916', was donated by his father to St Mark's church in 1938.Contents Southwell Diocesan Magazine (1889-1948), Vol 11 NS. Jan 1938 No 1 - Dec 1938 No 12, October 1938, p205: Mansfield St Marks, window depicting the patron saints of soldiers and architects dedicated in memory of James Handley Hopewell given by his father. (www.southwellchurches.nottingham.ac.uk/_downloads/sdmindex.doc)Supplement to the London Gazette, 29 March 1916 (3897). ‘War Office 29th March 1916. The undermentioned Candidates, nominated for Commissions in the Regular Army under paragraph 3 of Army Order 333 of 1915, to be Second Lieutenants, and to retain their higher rank where specified and seniority in their present units until ordered to join a Regular unit. Dated 30 March 1916. With seniority as from4th March 1916. Regular Forces. Infantry. The Leicestershire Regiment. Temporary Lieutenant James Handley Hopewell.’Probate: Hopewell James Handley of Trenance Monahan-avenue Purley Surrey lieutenant Leicestershire regiment died 14 July 1916 in France Probate London 28 February to Edwin Handley Hopewell gentleman. Effects £311 5s. 35d.Probate: Hopewell Edwin Handley of Nutcombe Heights Hindhead Surrey died 3 July 1935 at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth St. John’s Wood Middlesex Probate Lewes 24 October to Geoffrey Handley Hopewell engineer and William Charles Parkin solicitor. Effects £12641 Probate: Hopewell Charlotte Elizabeth of 47 Carlton Hill St. John’s Wood London widow died 18 May 1948 at 1205 London-road Croydon Surrey Probate Lewes 21 July to Geoffrey Handley Hopewell civil servant. Effects £3744 4s. 2d.
